Structure, optical, gamma-ray and neutron shielding properties of NiO doped B2O3–BaCO3–Li2O3 glass systems

Abstract

In this study, six newly developed glass systems with nominal composition of 50B2O3 − 20BaCO3 – 30Li2O3 – xNiO where (x = 0, 0.01, 0.025, 0.05, 0.1 and 0.15 wt%) have been prepared by conventional melting method. Structure, physical, optical, gamma-ray and neutron shielding features for the prepared samples were investigated. The amorphous nature was tested by using X-ray diffraction measurements for each glass sample. Density and molar volume were calculated. UV–Vis spectra of the prepared samples were observed in the range of 190–1100 nm. Band gaps for indirect transition (EOpticalIndirect) and for direct transition (EOpticalDirect) decreased from 3.02 eV to 1.89 eV and from 3.27 to 2.91, respectively. Index of refraction (n) takes values between 2.38 and 2.74. The static dielectric constant (εStatic) varies from 5.70 to 7.53, while the optical dielectric constant (εOptical) varies from 4.70 to 6.53 for the proposed glasses. Mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) were generated by using PHITS code and WinXCOM program in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV for all prepared samples. The results of PHITS code and WinXCOM program were observed in good agreement. The μ/ρ values were then used to compute the gamma shielding parameters like the effective atomic number (Zeff), mean free path (MFP), electron density (Neff), and half value layer (HVL) for the glasses involved. Additionally, neutron shielding capacity of these glasses was estimated by determining removal cross sections for the fast neutrons. It was found that radiation shielding features were evolved by adding NiO content in the present glasses. It can be concluded that our prepared glasses are superior shields and can be used in radiation shielding applications as compared with different international shielding materials.