A novel B2O3-Na2O-BaO-HgO glass system: Synthesis, physical, optical and nuclear shielding features

In the current paper, we investigated the impacts of HgO addition on optical, structural and radiation shielding properties of newly developed BNBH glass system, with nominal composition (60-x)B2O3+20Na(2)O + 20BaO + xHgO, where x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5 and 15. BNBH glasses were produced by traditional melt quenching technique. The structure of the produced glasses was estimated employing XRD and TEM analyses and their amorphous natures were verified. The material densities of the investigated glass samples increased nearly linearly as the HgO concentration increased. The UV-visible absorption spectra of the HgO doped glasses were obtained and it is noticed that the absorption coefficient varies with the increase of HgO concentration. The optical absorption spectra were also utilized to found optical energy band gaps, refraction indices and Urbach's tail energy of the prepared glasses. It was observed that the E-g decrease with the increase of HgO content. Moreover, nuclear radiation shielding parameters of BNBH glasses with HgO additive were obtained for photons, charged particles, and neutrons. It was perceived that the insertion of HgO was improved the protecting competences of the glasses against several nuclear radiation types. The results of this comprehensive study revealed that HgO can be used in the design of new glass systems for shielding studies.