Structural, mechanical, radiation shielding properties and albedo parameters of alumina borate glasses: Role of CeO2 and Er2O3

Abstract

In this study, the effect of CeO2 and Er2O3 on the physical, structural and mechanical properties of the B2O3-Na2O-Al2O3 glass composition, according to the formula [75-(x+y)]B2O3-20Na2O-5Al2O3-x(CeO2)+y(Er2O3) (where x+y=1, mol %) were investigated. The half-value layer (HVL), neutron removal cross-section (R), effective atomic numbers (Zeff), mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), and radiation safety efficiency (RPE) of the prepared glass structure were experimentally tested and theoretically determined for radiation shielding properties. The MCNP5 code was also used to measure the mass attenuation coefficients of glasses. At 59.54 keV, the glass system's albedo number, energy, and dose were determined by examining Compton and coherent peaks in XRF spectra. The XRD analyses showed that CeO2 and Er2O3 doped alumina borate glasses had a completely amorphous structure. Optical band gap (Eopt) values decreased according to pure glass because of the replacement of RO oxides in the glass matrix. Luminescence spectra had red emission correspond to 640–690 nm region through 4F9/2→6H11/2 transition. Good agreements were also observed between WinXCOM and Monte Carlo simulation results for MAC values. It was observed that doping 1 mol% of Er2O3 decreased the reflectivity of the gamma rays of the alumina borate glass by 30.9% compared to the doping 1 mol% of CeO2. In addition, the structural and mechanical properties of the CeO2 and Er2O3 doped borate glasses were examined, and comparisons were made.