Structural and gamma-ray attenuation of mixed former lead-free borophosphate glasses

Abstract

Sodium borophosphate parent glass in conjugation with other derived samples containing adaptable amounts of bismuth oxide at the expense of phosphate partner was prepared via the ordinary melt-quenching technique. Synthesized samples were investigated using Fourier transforms infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The undercover or overlapped peaks were estimated using the deconvolution analysis technique (DAT). The collected IR spectra refer to the presence of combined PO4 and BO3+BO4 groups besides the presence of Bi–O vibrations upon the addition of Bi2O3. The assignments of the IR peaks are facilitated by the conduction of deconvolution processes. The density of the studied glass was estimated and some selected physical parameters including molar volume and packing density were calculated.Gamma-ray shielding competence of studied borophosphate glasses has been explored through user online friendly software (Phy-X/PSD) in combination with their abilities to act as shielding candidates as a function of Bi2O3 content. In addition, linear and mass attenuation coefficients (μm) combined with other physics parameters were calculated to assess the proper action of bismuth oxide in the shielding mechanism. Sample NABP10Bi enriched with Bi2O3 possessed the highest values of LAC, MAC, and Zeff. The HVL parameter followed the trend that was considered to be dependent on the bismuth oxide concentration.