Nuclear shielding properties of B2O3–Pb3O4–ZnO glasses: Multiple impacts of Er2O3 additive

Abstract

This study aimed to examine nuclear radiation shielding properties of a novel glass system, which has nominal compositions (40-x) B2O3 +40Pb3O4 +20ZnO + xEr2O3 with several substitution proportions of Er2O3 (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5). The conventional solid-state method was utilized to fabricate the Er2O3 doped glasses. To obtain the amorphous nature of manufactured glass samples, X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were investigated. Moreover, mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) of the prepared glasses were adjusted by employing MCNPX simulation code. Other important gamma-ray attenuation parameters namely Half Value Layer (HVL), Mean Free Path (MFP), Effective and Equivalent Atomic Numbers (Zeff and Zeq) and Exposure Buildup Factor (EBF) of the glasses were also extensively addressed by obtaining mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ). The outcomes indicated that the Er2O3 additive enhances the photon attenuation qualification of the glasses. Moreover, the success of glasses in reducing fast neutrons was judged by calculating effective removal cross sections (ΣR). The results showed that increasing Er2O3 additive upgraded the prepared glasses in the attenuation of neutrons as in gamma rays. In addition, the protection ability of the fabricated glasses against alpha and proton charged particles was also evaluated. Charged alpha and proton particles in BPZE5 glass have the shortest projected ranges which are 50.38 μm and 436.36 μm respectively. It was seen that the increase of Er2O3 additive upgraded the prepared glasses in terms of attenuation of all of the selected radiation types. It can be deduced that these results might help for estimating the effect of Er2O3 on different glass systems in the future.