Newly developed BGO glasses: Synthesis, optical and nuclear radiation shielding properties

Abstract

In this research paper, we studied the optical and nuclear shielding efficiency of newly developed BGO glasses with the following compositions (in wt%): 32Bi2O3–68GeO2, 42Bi2O3–58GeO2, 47Bi2O3–53GeO2, 52Bi2O–48GeO2, 62Bi2O3–38GeO2. BGO glasses were prepared by traditional melt quenching method. To obtain the band gap values of fabricated BGO glasses, optical absorption spectra were used for evaluation of optical properties. The mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) were achieved for prepared glasses at 0.015–15 MeV photon energies employing MCNPX Monte Carlo code and WinXcom program. Moreover, broad-range of nuclear shielding parameters for gamma ray, neutrons and charged particles such as mass attenuation coefficient, half value layer, effective atomic number, buildup factors, mass stopping powers, projected ranges, fast neutron removal cross sections and damage factors were calculated. The refractive index is calculated from Eopt, As Bi2O3 concentration is enhanced, Eopt is also increased as well as the optical electronegativity and consequently the refractive index. In addition, the results showed that BIGE5 glass sample with highest Bi2O3 contribution has excellent nuclear radiation shielding ability among the other fabricated glass samples.