Impact of HfO2 on the structural, thermal, gamma, and neutron shielding properties of boro-tellurite glasses

Abstract

• HfO 2 doping raised the glass transition temperature from 402 °C to 419 °C, enhancing structural integrity and bonding strength . • The mass attenuation coefficient rose from 2.746 to 3.246 cm 2 /g at 80.99 keV with 10 mol% HfO 2 , showcasing enhanced gamma radiation shielding. • The fast neutron removal cross-section (ƩR) peaked in TBWH-3, increasing neutron dose absorption by 30.68%, proving its shielding efficiency. • HfO 2 -doped glasses, with enhanced thermal, gamma, and neutron shielding properties are promising candidates for medical and nuclear applications. This study explores the structural, thermal, and radiation shielding properties of boro-tellurite glasses doped with varying concentrations of HfO 2 , a material relevant for radiation protection in medical and nuclear applications. The glass system, consisting of TeO 2 -B 2 O 3 -WO 3 -HfO 2 , was synthesized using the melt-quenching technique with HfO 2 content ranging from 0 to 10 mol%. XRD and FT-IR analyses confirmed the amorphous structure and stable glass network. The addition of HfO 2 notably enhanced thermal properties, as reflected by an increase in the glass transition temperature (Tg) from 402 °C (TBWH-0) to 419 °C (TBWH-10), indicating stronger bonding within the glass matrix. Gamma radiation shielding improved with higher HfO 2 content, especially at lower photon energies. At 80.99 keV, the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) increased from 2.746 cm 2 /g (TBWH-0) to 3.246 cm 2 /g (TBWH-10), demonstrating better gamma attenuation. The mean free path (MFP) decreased from 1.6299 cm (TBWH-0) to 1.4510 cm (TBWH-10) at 0.356 MeV, further enhancing shielding efficiency. The fast neutron removal cross-section (ƩR) reached its maximum in the TBWH-3 sample, with neutron dose absorption rising by 30.68 %. Overall, the inclusion of HfO 2 significantly enhances both gamma and neutron shielding performance, making these glasses promising candidates for high-radiation environments.