Radiation Shielding Materials: A Bibliometric Review

Radiation shielding is a fundamental strategy for protecting individuals and the environment from the harmful effects of radiation exposure. Over the past two decades, a wide array of shielding materials has been developed to address the specific requirements of medical, nuclear, and space applications. This study employs a bibliometric approach to systematically analyze the scientific literature concerning radiation shielding materials. A total of 6,515 documents published between 2000 and 2023 were retrieved from the Scopus database and examined. The findings indicate that the most frequently investigated materials include silica, tungsten, polymers, carbon nanotubes, and lead. Emerging research trends—particularly in nanotechnology and composite materials—have also received significant scholarly attention. Keyword and co-word network analyses reveal that research is primarily concentrated on the concepts of “radiation shielding” and “radiation protection,” with strong thematic links to terms such as “gamma rays” and “neutrons”. This study underscores the diversity of materials and innovative approaches being explored in the field. Furthermore, it provides a structured overview and a guiding framework for future research, particularly regarding the development of cost-effective and eco-friendly shielding materials.