Effect of zirconium oxide nanoparticles on thermal, optical, and radiation shielding properties of Bi 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -MnO 2 glasses

• Published in: Applied radiation and isotopes 2024-01, Vol.205, p.111183
• Main Authors: Rao, Linganaboina Srinivasa, Hila, Frederick C, Reddy, M Srinivasa, Hussain, Shamima
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1872-9800

This study has explored the DSC, UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, gamma ray and neutron shielding properties of Bi O -B O -MnO : ZrO glasses. It demonstrates a unique approach to photon shielding analysis using JENDL/PD-2016 photonuclear data and employs a validated spherical neutron model for neutron shielding. Five transparent glasses were prepared with the chemical composition (in mol%) of 29Bi O -70B O -(1-x)MnO : xZrO , and labeled as MZ (for x = 0), MZ (for x = 0.25), MZ (for x = 0.5), MZ (for x = 0.75) and MZ (for x = 1). The glass ceramic nature of the samples has been characterized by DTA thermograms. The glass forming ability parameters (K , S & H) were found to be highest for the sample MZ . The UV-Visible optical absorption spectra have been interpreted, and hence the cut-off wavelength (λ ) and optical band gap (E ) were evaluated. The absorption spectra have revealed the co-existence of manganese ions in three stable valence states Mn , Mn and Mn in the samples. When ZrO nanoparticles were added in the composition up to x = 0.50 mol%, the red shift in the cut-off wavelength (λ ) with gradual shrinkage in optical band gap (E ) has been observed. Also, the linear and non-linear optical parameters viz., refractive index (n ), non-linear refractive index (n ), linear optical susceptibility (χ ) and non-linear optical susceptibility (χ ) have been evaluated. These parameters showcased that B-O, Bi-O, Mn-O, Zr-O, etc. bonds could be strengthened by subsequent reduction of polarization of the trivalent ions (B ions, Bi ions and Mn ions) in the glass system at higher concentrations of ZrO . Photoatomic and photonuclear attenuation studies portrayed that the sample MZ has the lowest photon shielding capability. The fast neutron effective removal cross section (Σ ) was observed to be the highest for the sample MZ . Thus, these glasses can be used to design the thermally stable transparent glasses, tunable optical elements, and radiation shielding materials.