The role of WO3 on the optical and radiation attenuation characteristics of ZnO–Na2O–B2O3 glasses

Abstract

This works aims to investigate the role of the WO3 on the optical and radiation attenuation characteristics of ZnO–Na2O–B2O3 glasses which were called as ZNBW glasses using theoretical approach. The molar refractivity (Rmol), molar polarizability (αMol.), reflection loss (RLoss), static dielectric constant (εstatic), and optical dielectric constant (εoptical) of the ZNBW glasses enhance while optical transmission (TOpt.) and metallization criterion (M) of the ZNBW glasses reduce with enhancement of WO3 and decreasing of ZnO. The Rmol, αMol.,RLoss, εstatic and εoptical are the highest for ZNBW20 whereas they are the lowest for ZNBW0. The TOpt. and M are the highest for ZNBW0 while they are the smallest for ZNBW20. In terms of radiation attenuation characteristics, the linear attenuation coefficient, mass attenuation coefficient, effective atomic number, and effective electron density increase whereas half value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path and fast neutron removal cross section (FNRC) decline with the enhancement of WO3 and reducing of ZnO. The ZNBW20 which has the highest WO3 content possesses the greatest radiation attenuation properties and smallest FNRC whereas the ZNBW0 which has not WO3 content possesses the smallest radiation attenuation properties and the highest FNRC. Consequently, radiation attenuation characteristics of ZNBW glasses enhance whereas FNRC of ZNBW glasses decline with addition of WO3 and reducing of ZnO. The replacement of WO3 by ZnO has a positive effect on improving the radiation attenuation properties of the ZNBW glasses.