Experimental shielding properties for a novel glassy system

Abstract

In the current study, we fabricated a series of boro-tellurite glass samples with a composition 10SrO–10Al2O3–10MoO3-(70-x)B2O3-xTeO2, where (x = 0, 17.5, 35, 52.5, and 70 mol%) via an ordinary melt-quench method. The glass structure was explored by X-ray diffraction (XRD), physical and structural properties. XRD results affirm the existence of two broad peaks, proving the amorphous state of the current glasses. The acquired results exhibit a linear relationship between the density, Poisson's ratio, and the addition of TeO2 amounts. The addition of TeO2 to the glass system shows a rise in glass stability and a reduction in packing density. Additionally, the values of mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) were determined experimentally within five energies (0.184, 0.280, 0.661, 0.710, and 0.810 MeV) from two radiation sources (166Ho and 137Cs). The (MAC)exp results were compared with XCOM values, and the compared values showed excellent compatibility. From the experimental results, many radiation shielding features involving half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), tenth value layer (TVL), and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were computed. From the obtained results, it can be concluded that the TeSB4 sample has the highest stability and absorption for radiation, indicating the ability to use it as a radiation shielding substance.