Development of barium borosilicate glasses reinforced with CdO for potential use in optical and γ-ray protection applications

Five samples of barium borosilicate reinforced with various concentrations of CdO with the nominal compositions (43.5 − x)B₂O₃ + 0.5Sm₂O₃ + 12SiO₂ + 25BaF₂ + 19Na₂O + xCdO and substitution ratios x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 mol% were synthesized using the melt quenching method. The impact of B₂O₃/CdO on structure, physical parameters, and optical characteristics was investigated. Gamma-ray shielding capacity was evaluated theoretically using Phy-X/PSD software. The amorphous nature of prepared glass samples was verified by XRD measurements. The densities (D_s) enhanced from 2.81 to 3.41 g/cm³, while molar volume (V_m) declined from 33.80 to 29.51 cm³/mol. The UV absorption spectra displayed many bands due to transitions from the ground state (⁶H_5/2) to the excited states of Sm³⁺ ions. Values of optical band gaps (E_g) declined with increasing CdO concentration, through the direct transition ranged from 2.80 to 2.64 eV, while for the indirect transition going from 2.65 to 2.53 eV. Urbach energy (E_U) values varied from 0.1319 to 0.1078 eV. Cd10 sample possessed the maximum and highest mass (MAC) attenuation coefficient, whereas the Cd0 sample possessed the lowest values From the perspective of the half value layer (HVL), Cd10 sample presents the best option for radiation attenuation applications out of all the synthesized samples, and the samples are ranked as follows: Cd10 < Cd7.5 < Cd5 < Cd2.5 < Cd0. Effective atomic number (Z_eff) has the same trend of MAC. Results confirmed that the suggested Cdx samples can be applied for optical and radiation shielding uses.