The impact of TiO₂ on physical, optical characteristics and shielding qualities against γ-ray features of titanium bismo-borate glasses

In this study, the role of TiO₂ on the physica, and optical properties as well as the γ-ray protection features of a set of six glass samples with the chemical formula (65-X)B₂O₃–15BaO–5Bi₂O₃–15ZnO–XTiO₂, where X = 0–10 mol% in the step of 2% have been investigated. The density (ρ) increased gradually from 3.70 to 3.93 g/cm³ and the molar volume (V_m) reduced from 27.71 to 26.72 cm³/mol as the TiO₂ content increased from 0 to 10 mol%. By the inclusion of TiO₂ in the glass networks, some absorption bands in the ultraviolet and visible regions are formed. Values of the indirect optical band gaps (E_g) were 2.550, 2.510, 2.470, 2.370, 2.270, and 2.180 eV for Ti-0.0, Ti-2.0, Ti-4.0, Ti-6.0, Ti-8.0, and Ti-10.0 glasses, respectively. The linear refractive index (n₀) calculated values varied from 2.515 to 2.631. The linear-attenuation coefficient ( \(\upmu )\) $\mathrm{\mu })$ followed the order: Ti-0.0 < Ti-2.0 < Ti-4.0 < Ti-6.0 < Ti-8.0 < Ti-10.0. The sample coded as Ti-10.0 glass sample (highest content of TiO₂) has the lowest half (HVL) and tenth (TVL) value layer. Within the investigated energy range of within the range: 51.590–19.480, 50.676–19.722, 50.696–19.833, 50.271–20.012, 49.860–20.193, and 49.460–20.376 for the prepared samples Ti-0.0, Ti-2.0, Ti-4.0, Ti-6.0, Ti-8.0, and Ti-10.0 glasses, respectively. Results confirmed that the suggested titanium bismo-borate glasses can be used in the optical field and as alternative materials for radiation shielding applications.