Significantly enhanced gamma radiation absorption performance and optical features of B2O3-Na2O-BaO glass composites via ErO addition strategies

• Published in: Ceramics international 2024-12
• Main Authors: Alrowaili, Z.A., Hammoud, Alaa, Stroganova, Elena V., Sriwunkum, Chahkrit, Olarinoye, I.O., Alomairy, Sultan, Al-Buriahi, M.S.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Borate glass; Gamma radiation; Melt-quench technique; Optical characteristics
• ISSN: 0272-8842
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ceramint.2024.12.420

In this study, extensive physical constants, optical parameters, gamma and fast neutron cross-section-related quantities of sodium borate glasses containing Er3+ ions (with the chemical identity, 75B2O3 – 5Na2O – (20-x)BaO – (x) Er2O3, where x = 0; 1; 2; 3; 5, and 10 mol.%), are presented. The sodium borate glass containing Er3+ ions was fabricated based on the well-known melt-quench technique. The density of the glasses shows an increasing trend with erbium ion concentration, reaching a maximum value of 3.165 g/cm³ at x = 5 mol%. The effective concentration of erbium ions increased from ∼ 2 × 1020 to 21 × 1020 ions/cm3 for the investigated glasses. The glasses exhibited high optical transparency in the 200–1100 nm wavelength range. The gamma ray mass attenuation coefficients of the glasses were in the range 0.0265–21.3424 cm2/g, 0.0270–23.9997 cm2/g, 0.0275–26.5225 cm2/g, 0.0279–28.9208 cm2/g, 0.0287–33.3789 cm2/g, and 0.0304–42.8821 cm2/g, for x = 0; 1; 2; 3; 5, and 10 mol.%, respectively. The Er3+ ion-rich glasses had higher gamma interaction coefficients. The optimum concentration of Er2O3 that resulted in the best fast neutron interaction was 5 mol%. The glasses were shown to be more efficient in shielding radiation in contrast to some conventional shielding materials. Based on the optical and radiation interaction properties, the glasses are recommended for optoelectronic and radiation protection functions.