Characterization of Local Clay Ceramic Materials for Potential Use as Radiation Shielding in Kebbi State

The development of low-cost radiation shielding materials from locally abundant resources is an important research direction for improving safety in small medical and industrial radiation facilities in Nigeria. This study characterizes locally mined clay ceramics from Kebbi State, North West Nigeria, for their potential utility as gamma radiation shielding materials. Clay samples were collected from six mining locations in Birnin Kebbi and Argungu local government areas and processed into disc-shaped ceramic tiles through firing at 1050 degrees Celsius. The linear attenuation coefficient and mass attenuation coefficient were measured at photon energies of 59.5 keV, 81 keV, 356 keV, and 661 keV using a NaI(Tl) scintillation detector coupled to a multichannel analyzer and sealed radioactive sources. Ceramic density, porosity, and mineralogical composition were also determined. The effective atomic number and electron density were derived from measured attenuation data. Results indicate mass attenuation coefficients ranging from 0.082 cm2/g to 0.193 cm2/g depending on photon energy and clay composition, with iron-rich samples from Argungu showing the highest attenuation performance. Half-value layer thicknesses calculated for the studied samples range from 3.2 cm to 8.9 cm, competitive with commercial concrete shielding for low-energy gamma applications. The study recommends further optimization of ceramic composition through iron oxide addition to enhance shielding performance at diagnostic radiology energies. Keywords: radiation shielding, clay ceramics, attenuation coefficient, Kebbi State, gamma radiation