Fabrication, optical characteristic, and nuclear radiation shielding properties of newly synthesised PbO-GeO_2 glasses

摘要

In this study, optical properties and nuclear protective efficiency of newly fabricated PbO-GeO_2 glass samples (GP) fabricated with different concentration of TiO_2 (0.2%, 0.5%, and 4%, in wt%) were investigated. PbO-GeO_2 glass samples have been prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. Using optical absorption spectra, band gap and optical properties of the PbO-GeO_2 glass samples were evaluated. In addition, mass attenuation coefficient values of the fabricated glass samples were calculated in the energy range of 0.015-15 MeV using MCNPX simulation and the theoretical WinXcom program. In addition, several nuclear shielding parameters were calculated for gamma ray and neutrons such as half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number (Z_(eff)), exposure buildup factor, energy absorption buildup factor, and fast neutron removal cross sections (∑_R). The results showed that glass sample with 0.2% of TiO_2 and with the highest density has an excellent nuclear radiation shielding ability for gamma ray, whereas the one with the highest TiO_2 contribution (4.0% of TiO_2) has a better protection against fast neutrons shielding among the produced glass samples. The results also showed a slight change for the E_(opt) with TiO_2 concentration and the same applies to the refractive index. However, E_(opt) tends to decrease when TiO_2 concentration increases and, consequently, the refractive index tends to increase.