Tuning structural, optical, and radiation shielding properties of multi-modifier Borate-based glasses through Bi2O3 doping
摘要
In this research, B2O3-based glasses doped with Bi2O3 were fabricated through a melt-quenching procedure to examine their various properties. Both the glass density and molar volume showed an increasing trend, indicating network expansion resulting from the addition of the heavy Bi3+ cations. The FT-IR spectra depicted distinctive absorption peaks at different wavenumbers, verifying the transformation of BO4 groups into BO3 groups and the enhancement of non-bridging oxygen atoms with rising Bi2O3 loading. Optical assessment indicated a shift of the absorption edge toward higher wavelengths (397 nm to 418 nm) along with a decline in optical transmittance, while the energy band gap steadily decreased (3.002 eV to 2.844 eV for indirect transitions) as the Bi2O3 content increased, corresponding to intensified structural irregularity, disruption of the borate network, and improved polarizability of Bi3+ ions. The radiation shielding capability of various glasses was tested over a variable energy range (0.015-15 MeV). The linear attenuation coefficient (GLAC) of YBSr4 was 338.393 cm− 1 and an effective atomic number (Zeff) of 71.68 at 0.015 MeV. The half-value layer (HVL) of YBSr4 was only 0.002 cm at 0.015 MeV and increased to 0.492 cm at 0.30 MeV, remaining below those of all the glasses tested in this study throughout the energy range of the study, suggesting YBSr4 has excellent gamma-ray shielding capabilities. One of the novel features of this study is that the progressive addition of Bi2O3 modifies the borate network structure, enhances the optical properties and drastically improves the radiation shielding capabilities of YBSr4, making it a viable candidate for future multifunctional radiation shielding materials based on comparison with other glass systems.