Crystallization and Radiation Proficiency of Transparent Sodium Silicate Glass Doped Zirconia

A sequence of transparent homogenous glasses consists of 50Na(2)O - (50-x) SiO2 - xZrO(2), (0 <= x <= 20 mol %), are synthesized by conventional method. All prepared samples are confirmed in an amorphous state by the X-rays diffraction XRD. The glass temperature T-g, crystallization temperature T-c, and temperature of full crystallization T-p values are increased by the increment of ZrO2. For heat-treated glasses, the XRD results show that most selected glasses appear to be completely crystallized. Ba-133, Cs-137 and (60) Co sources are used for experimental measurements of the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) of gamma-rays at 365, 662, 1172 and 1332 keV respectively and theoretical calculation were depicted using XCOM, MCNP5 and Phy-X/PSD programs procedures. MAC of our samples was compared with some commercial and published nuclear radiation shielding as ordinary concrete, 100% Na2B4O7 and 100% SiO2 glasses systems.

Automated summary

By synthesizing a series of transparent homogenous glasses and conducting experimental measurements and theoretical calculations, this study found that the content of ZrO2 has a significant impact on the thermal properties and crystallization characteristics of the glasses. The study also compared the performance differences between the studied glass samples and commercial and published nuclear radiation shielding materials.