Experimental design and characterization of Eu-doped tellurite matrix glassy composite for medical and ionizing-radiation sensing applications

Abstract

This study experimentally presents the synthesis and characterisation of a new transparent Eu-doped tellurite matrix glassy composite with the view of predicting its UV and radiation sensing applications. This glassy composite, described by 50TeO2–15Na2O – 15ZnO – (20-x)PbO – xEu2O3 for x = 0 (TPEu-0), 1 (TPEu-1), 2 (TPEu-2), and 3 (TPEu-3) mol%, was prepared by the well-known melting-and- quenching technique. The glassy nature of the prepared samples was verified by the X-ray diffraction (XED) technique, and the density of the glasses was measured by the Archimedes method. The glasses’ optical features were determined from optical transmission and absorption spectra. In addition, the gamma radiation sensing and shielding prowess of the TPEu-X samples was determined from Monte Carlo simulation data using FLUKA code and direct calculations from the NISTXCOM database. The response of the glasses under UV-excitation was also analysed. The melting point and density of the glasses increased as the glasses was enriched with Eu2O3. The density of TPEu-X increased from 5.51 to 5.58 while the melting point grew from 750 °C to 1100 °C Eu2O3 concentration grew from 0 to 3 mol%. The increase in the concentration of Eu2O3 activated crystallization in the glass system. TPEu-1 has the highest optical bandgap energy (3.0 eV) and the lowest refractive index (2.39) among the TPEu-X glasses. The Eu2O3 content of the glasses affected their responses and appearance under UV light. Generally, the glass with the lowest Eu2O3 content possessed the least capacity to shield gamma radiation. The prepared TPEu-3 glass displayed the ability to displace many conventional and non-traditional shields in design of efficient radiation protection systems.