Structural and radiation shielding parameters of heavy metal-based environment-friendly glass systems for nuclear radiation security applications

Abstract

This work used theoretical and experimental approaches to examine the effects of the partial substitution of cadmium (II) oxide for boron trioxide on structural, optical, and physical characteristics. Using the melt quenching technique, we created a cadmium (Cd)-borate glass group with the following nominal composition: (60-X)B2O3 + 20Na2O + 5NiO + 15CaCO3 + xCdO system, where x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 wt%. The amorphous structure of the Cd-borate glasses was determined using an experimental X-ray diffraction technique. Additionally, density and UV studies were used to investigate optical and material properties. To determine the effect of this substitution on the improvement of nuclear radiation shielding, the linear attenuation coefficients at 80, 356, 662, 1173, and 1333 keV were measured using a narrow beam geometry and an experimental gamma-ray transmission technique. When the CdO level was raised from 0 to 10% (by weight), both the molar volume and transmission decreased in value while hardness of the glass increased. In addition, adding 5% CdO to this glass in its current composition led to a greater absorption of neutrons. The absorption of gamma rays required the addition of 10% CdO. Thus, the best radiation filter was a Cd-borate glass that contained 10% CdO.