Refinement of optical/structural features and neutron/gamma-ray protecting capability of P2O5–Li2O–BaO phosphate glass system by adding Bi2O3. (March 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Abouhaswa, A.S.; Tekin, H.O.; Araz, A.; Kavaz, E.
• Is Part Of: Progress in nuclear energy. Volume 145(2022)
• Publication Date: 2022-03
• Subjects: Phosphate glasses -- Optical -- Desperation parameters -- Radiation -- Attenuation features; Nuclear energy -- Periodicals; Nuclear engineering -- Periodicals; 333.7924
• DOI: 10.1016/j.pnucene.2021.104114
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0149-1970

Abstract

Abstract: In this work, a new phosphate glass system with the nominal compositions 65P2 O5 +10Li2 O +(25-x)BaO + xBi2 O3 was fabricated by using the conventional solid-state technique. Phosphate glasses were evaluated for their suitability in optical and radiation shielding applications. The amorphous nature of manufactured glasses was proved by utilizing an X-ray diffraction pattern. The density of glass samples was enhanced with rising Bi2 O3 substitution ratio. UV–Vis absorption spectra were measured based on the concentration of Bi2 O3 in PLBB glasses, optical energy band gap Eg for indirect and direct transitions were decreased from 3.43, 4.25 to 3.15, 3.95 eV with enhancing Bi2 O3 substitution ratio respectively while urbach energy Eu was increased from 0.632 to 0.661 eV. The single oscillator energy (Eo ) was found to decrease with increasing Bi2 O3 however the average oscillator wavelength (λo ) was increased. The Gamma-ray attenuation features of PLBB glasses were obtained via EpiXS program and MCNPX simulation codes. Mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) for PLBB0 and PLBB25 glasses were determined in the range of 14.995–0.0247 cm 2 /g and 43.912–0.0335 cm 2 /g, respectively. Outcomes obtained from MAC values and other photon shielding parameters such as MFP, HVL, Zeff, Nel, and EBF revealed that the replacement of Bi2 O3 with BaO improves the capacity of PLBB glasses to reduce the intensity of gamma-rays. Furthermore, the macroscopic neutron cross section of PLBB25 glass with 25% Bi2 O3 substitution is 0.133 cm −1 while it is 0.113 cm −1 for PLBB0 glass. The increase of Bi2O3 addition to the new phosphate glass system has remarkably improved both optical and nuclear radiation protecting properties.