B2O3–BaCO3–Li2O3 glass system doped with Co3O4: Structure, optical, and radiation shielding properties

Abstract

A novel glass system with nominal composition of (50B2O3+ 20BaCO3+ 30Li2O3+ xCo3O4: 0 ≤ x ≤ 0.5 mol%) has been synthesized using solid state reaction method. Non-crystallinity nature, structure, optical, γ-ray and neutron shielding characterizations of the produced glass samples were investigated. X-ray diffraction patterns for all glasses confirmed their amorphous nature. Density and molar volume were calculated. UV–Vis measurements were in the range of 190–1100 nm wavelength. The band gaps of optical energy in direct transition (EGapD), and in indirect transition (EGapI) as well as Urbach's energy (Eu) were calculated. Steepness parameter was found to be 0.099 for BBLC0.0 glass and 0.026 for BBLC0.5 glass. Mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), as a basic parameter for gamma-ray shielding studies, was generated in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV using GEANT4 Monte Carlo simulation for each prepared glass. The results of GEANT4 simulation were compared with those calculated by WinXcom program, and a good agreement was observed. All other parameters that can describe the gamma-ray shielding properties like mean free path (MFP), effective electron density (Neff), half value layer (HVL), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were calculated and discussed in detail. Additionally, neutron shielding features were estimated by determining the removal cross section for each prepared glass and compared with the common neutron shielding materials. Results revealed that the prepared glasses can be used as effective radiation shielding materials against gamma rays and neutrons.