Gamma rays interactions with Eu2O3 doped lead fluoroborate glasses

Abstract

The research article concentrates on the effects of gamma rays [150 kGy] over lead fluoroborate glass systems doped with Europium (Eu2O3) ions synthesized through melt-quench technique. FTIR measurements confirmed the conversion of three-fold borate units (BO3) to tetrahedral borate units (BO4) before irradiation and a back conversion was studied post irradiation, with addition of Eu2O3 ions; which was cross verified through N4 and N3 coordination numbers. Effects of gamma rays have been confirmed through ESR spectra where, resonance paramagnetic centers were perceived. Decrease in the intensities and red shift in the absorption peaks (UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra) indicates the formation of the color centers in the glass matrices after high energetic gamma exposure. Stability of the samples were calculated using different characteristic temperatures (Tg, Tx, Tc, Tm) which was employed through DSC technique. Different elastic moduli (E, K, G, μ) of the samples were calculated and studied using standard Makishima-Mackenzie's model. Hardness (H) number of the samples have also been measured which showed decrease in the H values after irradiation with increase in Fragility (F) parameter. The unusual trend observed in the Eg values of the samples were validated through the Molar Volume (Vm), Oxide ion polarizability (αe) and optical basicity (Λ) values. The samples could be recommended for solid state lighting devices because of its semiconducting nature energy band gap values (Eg: 2.34–2.83 eV). The competitive stability factors (Dietzel factor (ΔT) ∼ 160–270 °C; Hruby's number (Hr): 1.130–4.237), high densities (ρ: 3.8501–4.1944 g/cm3), hardness parameter (H: 3.32–4.46 GPa) and low poisson's ratio (μ: 0.241–0.257) with supportive αe values motivates the samples to be proposed as radiation shielders and in space applications.