Evaluation of radiation shielding ability of boro-tellurite glasses: TeO2–B2O3–SrCl2–LiF–Bi2O3

Abstract

This paper focuses on examining the radiation shielding features of seven boro-tellurite glasses in the form of TeO2–B2O3–SrCl2–LiF–Bi2O3. Gamma rays and neutrons shielding features of these glasses have been tested in terms of mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ), half value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and removal cross section (∑R). The μ/ρ values of the present glasses were simulated by Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations over an extended energy range of 0.015 − 20 MeV and then the generated data were verified using the calculated values of WinXCOM software. Additionally, geometric progression (G–P) method was used to estimate gamma ray exposure buildup factor (EBF) for the prepared glasses. It is noted that μ/ρ and Zeff values increase, while MFP and HVL values decrease as TeO2 content increases in the glass sample. The EBF values would be useful to design or develop the present glasses for gamma shielding applications. Results reveal that the present glasses have good capability for gamma rays shielding compared with some commercial radiation shielding materials.