Review of Boron Nitride Nanotubes for Space Radiation Shielding

Abstract

Boron nitride nanotubes (BNNTs) have recently become an area of research interest due to their appealing mechanical and thermal properties and their potential radiation shielding advantages over current materials used in space travel. In particular, hydrogen loaded BNNTs offer increased radiation shielding and structural advantages over the commonly used AL2195 alloy used in spacecraft. BNNTs loaded with 20% hydrogen were shown, via simulation studies, to shield 25% more radiation compared to AL2195 for particles in the galactic cosmic radiation spectrum as well as those seen in solar particle events