Purpose This study introduces an innovative and sustainable approach to mitigate agricultural waste accumulation by utilizing rice husk ash (RHA) as a natural source of silica (SiO<InlineEquation ID="IEq1"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>). The extracted silica was combined with environmentally friendly heavy metal oxides, namely erbium oxide (Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq2"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq3"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>) and bismuth oxide (Bi<InlineEquation ID="IEq4"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq5"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>), to fabricate radiation shielding glass via the melt-quenching technique. Results The fabricated glasses exhibited densities ranging from 4.26 to 5.08 g/cm<InlineEquation ID="IEq6"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$^3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, confirming the influence of heavy metal incorporation on glass compactness. Structural analysis verified the amorphous nature and successful integration of Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq7"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq8"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> and Bi<InlineEquation ID="IEq9"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq10"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> within the glass matrix. Optical studies showed good transparency (70–85% transmittance in the visible range), with indirect and direct band gaps decreasing from 1.66 to 1.48 eV and from 4.5 to 2.8 eV, respectively, due to increased non-bridging oxygen bonds. The refractive index increased up to 3.00 with higher Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq11"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq12"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> content. Radiation shielding analysis revealed that the samples exhibited effective attenuation, particularly in the low-energy range. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq13"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq14"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> enhanced the attenuation performance, as evidenced by the rise in mass attenuation coefficients. The sample labeled Eu2, which contained the highest concentration of Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq15"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq16"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>, demonstrated the best shielding performance among all glass samples. Conclusion The integration of Eu<InlineEquation ID="IEq17"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_2$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>2</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation>O<InlineEquation ID="IEq18"> <EquationSource Format="TEX">$_3$</EquationSource> <EquationSource Format="MATHML"><math> <mmultiscripts> <mrow /> <mn>3</mn> <mrow /> </mmultiscripts> </math></EquationSource> </InlineEquation> significantly improved both optical and shielding performance, demonstrating that RHA-derived silica glass can serve as a transparent, eco-friendly radiation shield for medical and industrial use. This work also provides a sustainable pathway for recycling agricultural waste into high-value protective materials. The graphical abstract summarizes the main process and findings of this study. Graphical Abstract

Transforming Agricultural Residues into High Performance Radiation Protective Glass

期刊论文
发表日期：

2026年1月13日

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Anas I. AbuSirdaneh,
Ahmad M. ALdiabat,
Ammar A. Oglat,
Thair Hussein Khazaalah,
Iskandar Shahrim Mustafa,
Munirah Jamil,
Nabasu Seth Ezra,
Bassam M. Abunahel,
G. I. Efenji,
Mohammad akram dukai al-jawarneh,
Anas S Almomani,
Mus’ab S Alkasasbeh

摘要

Purpose

This study introduces an innovative and sustainable approach to mitigate agricultural waste accumulation by utilizing rice husk ash (RHA) as a natural source of silica (SiO $_2$ $_{2}$ ). The extracted silica was combined with environmentally friendly heavy metal oxides, namely erbium oxide (Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ ) and bismuth oxide (Bi $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ ), to fabricate radiation shielding glass via the melt-quenching technique.

Results

The fabricated glasses exhibited densities ranging from 4.26 to 5.08 g/cm $^3$ $^{3}$ , confirming the influence of heavy metal incorporation on glass compactness. Structural analysis verified the amorphous nature and successful integration of Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ and Bi $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ within the glass matrix. Optical studies showed good transparency (70–85% transmittance in the visible range), with indirect and direct band gaps decreasing from 1.66 to 1.48 eV and from 4.5 to 2.8 eV, respectively, due to increased non-bridging oxygen bonds. The refractive index increased up to 3.00 with higher Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ content. Radiation shielding analysis revealed that the samples exhibited effective attenuation, particularly in the low-energy range. Furthermore, increasing the concentration of Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ enhanced the attenuation performance, as evidenced by the rise in mass attenuation coefficients. The sample labeled Eu2, which contained the highest concentration of Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ , demonstrated the best shielding performance among all glass samples.

Conclusion

The integration of Eu $_2$ $_{2}$ O $_3$ $_{3}$ significantly improved both optical and shielding performance, demonstrating that RHA-derived silica glass can serve as a transparent, eco-friendly radiation shield for medical and industrial use. This work also provides a sustainable pathway for recycling agricultural waste into high-value protective materials. The graphical abstract summarizes the main process and findings of this study.

Graphical Abstract