The effects of modification by Gd2O3 nanoparticles on optical properties and radiation resistance of CaSiO3 powders

The radiation resistance and optical properties of micron-sized mCaSiO3 wollastonite powders (initial and modified by gadolinium oxide nGd2O3 nanoparticles) were studied. For this purpose, the powders were irradiated with accelerated electrons, and diffuse reflection spectra (ρλ) were recorded in high vacuum (in situ). The mCaSiO3 powder features a high reflectance throughout the measured spectrum range from 200 to 2,500 nm. The obtained value of the solar absorptance (αs = 0.117) is less compared to known powders used as pigments for reflective coatings, such as ZnO and TiO2. Depending on the concentration of nanoparticles in the range of 1–10 wt