Cerium (IV) oxide reinforced Lithium-Borotellurite glasses: A characterization study through physical, optical, structural and radiation shielding properties

The purpose of this study was to characterize the structural, optical, and physical properties of various kinds of glasses based on the 50TeO(2)-30B(2)O(3)-(20-x)Li2O-xCeO(2) system (x = 0, 0.5, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 15, 20). Consequently, ten glass samples were produced by melting-annealing. Calculations of the densities of the synthesized glasses were performed using the Archimedes technique. The sample's structural, optical, physical, and radiation interaction properties were determined using XRD analysis, Raman spectroscopy, and advanced modelling techniques with FLUKA code, yielding optical band gap, refractive index, and Urbach energy values. By increasing the CeO2 reinforcement from 0 to 20 mol %, the glass densities rose from 4.0614 to 4.7519 g cm(-3). The transmittance spectra of TBLC glasses were found in the range of 200-1100 nm. Our findings showed that the lowest Urbach energy belonged to the TBLC1 sample, and the highest Urbach energy belonged to the TBLC20 sample. When the CeO2 ratio was raised, the optical transmittance and absorption characteristics changed nearly monotonically, suggesting that these qualities may be calculated and controlled using the CeO2 additive, as shown in this experiment. By substituting CeO2 for Li2O inside the structure, it was possible to substantially enhance the optical band gap. Additionally, at simulated energies greater than 0.02 MeV, the gamma-ray linear attenuation coefficient rises monotonically with CeO2 reinforcement. Consequently, linear attenuation coefficients were reported as 125.843 cm(-1), 127.601 cm(-1), 129.211 cm(-1), 132.312 cm(-1), 135.166 cm(-1), 138.705 cm(-1), 141.288 cm(-1), 156.690 cm(-1), 172.393 cm(-1), 186.811 cm(-1) for TBLC0, TBLC0.5, TBLC1, TBLC2, TBLC3, TBLC4, TBLC5, TBL10, TBLC15 and TBLC20 at 0.015 MeV, respectively. It can be concluded that combination of high-concentration CeO2 and TeO2-B2O3 glass is an excellent synergetic tool for combining structural, optical, and radiation properties when combined with other materials.

Automated summary

This study aimed to characterize various glasses based on the 50TeO(2)-30B(2)O(3)-(20-x)Li2O-xCeO(2) system. By increasing the CeO2 reinforcement, the glass densities, optical properties, and radiation interaction characteristics were significantly affected, showing changes in optical band gap and gamma-ray linear attenuation coefficient. CeO2 substitution for Li2O inside the structure effectively enhanced the glass's optical band gap, suggesting its potential for controlling and manipulating the optical and radiation properties of the glasses.