Optical, structural, physical, and nuclear shielding properties, and albedo parameters of TeO2–BaO–B2O3–PbO–V2O5 glasses

Abstract

In this study, glass systems were constructed according to the formula 34TeO2∙xBaO∙35B2O3∙(30-x)PbO∙1V2O5 (x=0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 30 mol%). The gamma, neutron, proton, and alpha shielding characteristics of the glasses were evaluated for nuclear security applications. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number, and radiation protection efficiency (RPE) were experimentally measured in the energy range of 59.54–661.62 keV. In addition, the theoretical MAC values were determined. The exposure buildup factor, fast neutron removal cross section, mass stopping power, and projected range values for proton (H1) and alpha (He+2) particles were theoretically determined. Albedo parameters were measured for the prepared glasses at photon energy of 59.54 keV. The optical and structural properties were studied using X-ray diffraction, FT-IR Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet–visible, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The glass samples comprised structural units such as TeO4, TeO3, BO3, and BO4. The spin Hamiltonian parameters, g∥, g⊥, A∥, A⊥, dipolar hyperfine coupling parameter, P, and Fermi contact parameter, κ, were calculated. The molecular orbital parameters, α2, β2, and γ2, were determined by optical absorption spectroscopy. The number of bonds per unit volume in the glasses ranged between 8.763 and 9.212×1028 m−3. The most reflective compound among the glasses investigated was BaO. Good agreement was found between the theoretical and experimental MAC values. TeBaBPbV1 glass was identified as a potential candidate for use in neutron, gamma, proton, and alpha shielding.