Radiation attenuation of boro-tellurite glasses for efficient shielding applications

Abstract

The borotellurite glasses whose chemical structure is (29.5-0.4x)CaO + 10CaF₂ + (60-0.6x)B₂O₃ + xTeO₂+ 0.5Yb₂O₃ (where x=10, 16, 22, 31, and 54 % mole. represent TCCBY1-TCCBY5, respectively) are Pb-free, thermally stable, and transparent glasses with attractive optical features for technological applications. The gamma-photons, electrons, protons, neutrons, carbon ions, fast neutrons, and fast neutron interaction parameters of these glasses are presented in this study to better understand the role of TeO₂ in influencing their radiation shielding properties and radiation protection applications. The photon mass attenuation coefficient was evaluated by XCOM computation and simulation using the FLUKA code. The FLUKA code was also used to evaluate the mass stopping powers of the charged radiations, while neutrons' cross sections were evaluated using standard expressions. For 0.015 MeV-15 MeV photons, the mass attenuation coefficients of the glasses fell from 17.9499 to 0.0246 cm²/g for TCCBY1, 20.5628 to 0.0263 cm²/g for TCCBY2, 23.2756 to 0.079 cm²/g for TCCBY3, 26.7487 to 0.0298 cm²/g for TCCBY4, and 33.3591 to 0.0335 cm²/g for TCCBY5. The photon half-value layer at 15 keV is reduced by about 19.57%, 32.68%, 48.84%, and 63.89% when the TeO₂ content increases from 10 mol to 16, 22, 31, and 54 mol, respectively. TeO₂ was found to suppress photon buildup in the glasses. The mass stopping powers of charged radiation increased as glass density decreased. The addition of TeO₂ into the glass structure increased the ability of the TCCBY glass to absorb fast neutrons by up to 54 % mole. The gamma radiation and fast neutron moderating ability of TCCBY5 glass compared to common shields and other materials is exceptional. The glass is recommended for the design of Pb-free, transparent, and efficient radiation protection structures.