EXPERIMENTAL AND THEORETICAL EVALUATION OF GAMMA-RAY ATTENUATION IN Bi2O3 DOPED SILICO BORO TELLURITE GLASS SHIELDING
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst10257Keywords:
Glass shielding, WinXCom, Compton, Bismuth OxideAbstract
A multifunctional glass with the composition 20TeO2: 20B2O3: (25-x)SiO2: 15BaO: 10Na2O: 5Tb2O3: 5Eu2O3: xBi2O3 (x = 0, 1, 2, 5, 10 and 20 mol%) was synthesized via the melt-quenching method to investigate gamma-ray shielding performance and physical properties. Density increased from 4.998 g/cm3 to 5.999 g/cm3 with increasing Bi2O3 content, while molar volume increased from 28.99 to 35.65 cm3/mol. The mass attenuation coefficient (μm) measured using the Compton scattering technique over the photon energy range of 0.223-0.662 MeV, showed good agreement with theoretical values from WinXCom. At 0.223 MeV, the μm value increased from 11.5 to 13.0 cm²/g as Bi₂O₃ content increased from 0 to 20 mol%. Additionally, the effective atomic number (Zeff) and effective electron density (Neff) increased with Bi₂O₃ concentration, reaching maximum values of 54.34 and 3.18 × 1024 electrons/g, respectively. The half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) decreased with Bi2O3 addition, indicating enhanced attenuation capability. For example, at 0.223 MeV, the HVL value decreased from 0.060 cm (0 mol% Bi2O3) to 0.053 cm (20 mol% Bi2O3). The glasses containing ≥10 mol% Bi₂O₃ exhibited HVL values lower than ordinary concrete, confirming their potential as lightweight, transparent, and lead-free radiation shielding materials suitable for low- to medium-energy applications.
References
Bashter, I. I. (1997). Calculation of radiation attenuation coefficients for shielding concretes. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 24(17), 1389-1401. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0306-4549(97)00003-0
Boonin, K., Yasaka, P., Limkitjaroenporn, P., Rajaramakrishna, R., Askin, A., Sayyed, M. I., Kothan, S., & Kaewkhao, J. (2020). Effect of BaO on lead free zinc barium tellurite glass for radiation shielding materials in nuclear application. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 550, 120386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2020.120386
Cheewasukhanont, W., Kothan, S., Mutuwong, C., Chaiphaksa, W., Nualpralaksana, S., Intachai, N., & Kaewkhao, J. (2024). The hazardous protective glass material for gamma, neutrons, and behaviors of charged particles: Results of adding barium oxide concentrations. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 223, 111936. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.111936
Elsafi, M., El-Nahal, M. A., Sayyed, M. I., Saleh, I. H., & Abbas, M. I. (2021). Effect of bulk and nanoparticle Bi₂O₃ on attenuation capability of radiation shielding glass. Ceramics International, 47(14), 19651-19658. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2021.03.302
Gerward, L., Guilbert, N., Jensen, K. B., & Levring, H. (2004). WinXCom - A program for calculating X-ray attenuation coefficients. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 71(3-4), 653-654. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2004.04.040
Kaewjang, S., Maghanemi, U., Kothan, S., Kim, H. J., Limkitjaroenporn, P., & Kaewkhao, J. (2015). New gadolinium based glasses for gamma-rays shielding materials. Nuclear Engineering and Design, 280, 21-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nucengdes.2014.08.030
Khondara, S., Yasaka, P., Boonin, K., Intachai, N., Kothan, S., & Kim, H. J. (2025). White light emission from Dy³⁺ ion doped boro-tellurite glass potential for optical and thermoluminescence material applications. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 237, 113007. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.113007
Kirdsiri, K., Rajaramakrishna, R., Damdee, B., Kim, H. J., Nuntawong, N., Horphathum, M., & Kaewkhao, J. (2019). Influence of alkaline earth oxides on Eu³⁺ doped lithium borate glasses for photonic, laser and radiation detection material applications. Solid State Sciences, 89, 57-66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.solidstatesciences.2018.12.019
Krongkitsiri, P., Yasaka, P., Boonin, K., Wongwan, W., & Kaewkhao, J. (2023). Synthesis and luminescence properties of Sr₂ZnMoO₆: Eu₂O₃ phosphors. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 2602, 012004. https://doi.org/10.1088/1742-6596/2602/1/012004
Kurtuluş, R., Buriahi, M. S., Issa, S. A. M., Tekin, H. O., Kavas, T., & Kavaz, E. (2022). Physical, structural, mechanical and radiation shielding features of waste pharmaceutical glasses doped with Bi₂O₃. Optik, 261, 169108. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2022.169108
Kurtulus, R., Kavas, T., Akkurt, I., & Gunoglu, K. (2020). An experimental study and WinXCom calculations on X-ray photon characteristics of Bi₂O₃- and Sb₂O₃-added waste soda-lime-silica glass. Ceramics International, 46(14), 21120-21127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.05.188
Limkitjaroenporn, P., Kaewkhao, J., Chewpraditkul, W., & Limsuwan, P. (2012). Mass attenuation coefficient and effective atomic number of Ag/Cu/Zn alloy at different photon energy by Compton scattering technique. Procedia Engineering, 32, 847-854. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2012.02.022
Mangthong, P., Srisittipokakun, N., Rajaramakrishna, R., Phuphathanaphong, N., Kanjanaboos, P., Intachai, N., Kothan, S., & Kaewkhao, J. (2024). Study on structural and optical properties of Tb³⁺ co-doped Au glasses for green optical application. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 224, 112055. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.112055
Monisha, M., Murari, M. S., Sayyed, M. I., Al-Ghamdi, H., Almuqrin, A. H., Lakshminarayana, G., & Kamath, S. D. (2021). Thermal, structural and optical behaviour of Eu³⁺ ions in zinc alumino boro-silicate glasses for bright red emissions. Materials Chemistry and Physics, 270, 124787. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2021.124787
Mutuwong, C., Chaiphaksa, W., Rachniyom, W., Bootjomchai, C., Intachai, N., Cheewasukhanont, W., Tuscharoen, S., Sriwongsa, K., Kothan, S., & Kaewkhao, J. (2024). Comparative study of radiation ionizing on the MRCP-AM phantom before and after using the Bi₂O₃-AlF₃-CaO-B₂O₃ shielding glass by PHITS Monte Carlo simulation. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 222, 111881. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.111881
Tsoulfanidis, N., & Landsberger, S. (2019). Measurement and detection of radiation (4th ed.). CRC Press.
Ruamnikhom, R., Yasaka, P., Wongwan, W., Thanyaphirak, W., & Angnanon, A. (2025). Color-tunable luminescence in Eu³⁺/Tb³⁺ co-doped tellurite glass: Insights into energy transfer mechanisms. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 237, 112180.
Sayyed, M. I., Ati, A. A., Mhareb, M. H. A., Mahmoud, K. A., Kaky, K. M., Baki, S. O., & Mahdi, M. A. (2020). Novel tellurite glass (60-x)TeO₂-10GeO₂-20ZnO-10BaO-xBi₂O₃ for radiation shielding. Journal of Alloys and Compounds, 844, 155668. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jallcom.2020.155668
Singkiburin, N., Srisittipokakun, N., Rajaramakrishna, R., Intachai, N., Kothan, S., Wongdamnern, N., & Kaewkhao, J. (2024). Microwave melt-quenching technique to synthesize of CuO-doped B₂O₃-ZnO-Na₂O-Sm₂O₃ scintillating glasses. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 224, 112029. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.112029
Stalin, S., Gaikwad, D. K., Al-Buriahi, M. S., Srinivasu, C., Ahmed, S. A., Tekin, H. O., & Rahman, S. (2021). Influence of Bi₂O₃/WO₃ substitution on the optical, mechanical, chemical durability and gamma ray shielding properties of lithium-borate glasses. Ceramics International, 47(4), 5286-5299. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ceramint.2020.10.109
Thanyaphirak, W., Yasaka, P., Boonin, K., Sangwaranatee, N., & Kaewkhao, J. (2024). Dy³⁺ ion-doped zinc barium niobium boro-tellurite glasses: Structural, optical, and luminescence insights for white light applications. Suranaree Journal of Science and Technology, 31(5), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.55766/sujst-2024-03-e06013
Tuscharoen, S., Kaewkhao, J., Limkitjaroenporn, P., Limsuwan, P., & Chewpraditkul, W. (2012). Improvement of BaO:B₂O₃:fly ash glasses: Radiation shielding, physical and optical properties. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 49, 109-113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2012.05.017
Wongwan, W., Yasaka, P., Boonin, K., Khondara, S., Kim, H. J., Kothan, S., Chanlek, N., Kanjanaboos, P., Phuphathanaphong, N., Sareein, T., & Sangwaranatee, N. (2024). A comparative study of microwave assisted and conventional melting techniques to glass properties. Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 225, 112011. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2024.112011
Wongwan, W., Yasaka, P., Boonin, K., Sa-ardsin, W., & Kaewkhao, J. (2022). Structural and luminescence characterizations of Tb³⁺ ion doped boro-tellurite glasses for LED applications. Integrated Ferroelectrics, 224(1), 62-70. https://doi.org/10.1080/10584587.2022.2035596
Yasaka, P., & Kæwkhao, J. (2016). White emission materials from glass doped with rare earth ions: A review. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1719, 020001. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4943695
Yasaka, P., Pattanaboonmee, N., Kim, H. J., Limkitjaroenporn, P., & Kaewkhao, J. (2014). Gamma radiation shielding and optical properties measurements of zinc bismuth borate glasses. Annals of Nuclear Energy, 68, 4-9. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.anucene.2013.12.015
