Impact of molybdenum on optical, structure properties and gamma radiation shielding parameters of bor-ophosphate glass: Intensive experiment investigations

Abstract

A group of borophosphate glasses with a nominal composition of 6ZnO–28Na2O-42-B2O3-(24-x)P2O5-xMoO3 (where; x = 0, 3, 5, and 8 wt %) were prepared by the traditional melting method. A detailed characterization of structural, optical, and nuclear radiation shielding properties was performed using experimental and in-silico methods. The amorphous structures of the synthesized glasses were observed by XRD results. Consequently, none of the samples exhibited a distinct peak. Moreover, the optical constants such as optical band gap, phonon energy, and tails of localized states of the present gasses were determined in terms of optical properties. The results showed that rigid P2O5 and MoO3 substitution did not result in a significant loss of physical and optical characteristics, and on the contrary, it resulted in enhancements in several of the key attributes on gamma-ray attenuation competencies. Our findings showed that MoO3 is a monotonic tool for borophosphate glasses in terms of changing the fundamental properties. It can be concluded that MoO3 directly affects the attenuation characteristics of gamma-ray radiation when tested. It was apparent that the MoO3 strengthening had a significant effect on radiation attenuation properties, as the ZNBPMo8 with the highest MoO3 content has attenuated the majority of incident gamma-rays.