Physical, optical, and radiation shielding features of molybdenum-reinforced LZS glasses

Five glass samples of the composition (5 − x)ZnO − xMoO₃–35Pb₃O₄–60SiO₂ have been investigated and x takes the values between 0 and 5 mol%. The XRD technique was utilized to confirm the amorphous status. The density of the glasses was measured and varied between 5.91 g/cm³ for LZSM₀ and 6.249 g/cm³ for LZSM₅. The field strength, cohesive energy, bond density, and electronegativity were examined. According to the findings, these criteria are dependent on the ratio of molybdenum concentration in the present specimen. The optical properties of nonlinear and linear characteristics were also investigated. The absorption and transmittance of glasses were measured, and the edge of the spectrum was found to be affected by MoO₃ content. The E_g energy gap and n the refraction index susceptibilities and dielectric constant are enhanced by supplying molybdenum in the glass network. The E_g and n take values between 2.68 and 2.56 eV and 2.52 and 2.56, respectively. The radiation attenuation capacity with the addition of MoO₃ has been addressed here. The mass and linear attenuation factor enhanced between 4.35 to 4.31 cm²/g and 25.71 to 26.97 cm⁻¹ at 0.1 MeV for the specimens LZSM₀ and LZSM_5, respectively. The half-value layer HVL and MFP the mean free path also improved by adding MoO₃ to the fabricated glasses samples. The present study suggests that adding MoO₃ to lead zinc silicate glass can modify the glass network and enhance the ability to safeguard against radiation, especially LZSM₅ with higher molybdenum content.