Gamma rays interactions with Eu2O3 doped lead fluoroborate glasses

The research article concentrates on the effects of gamma rays [150 kGy] over lead fluoroborate glass systems doped with Europium (Eu2O3) ions synthesized through melt-quench technique. FTIR measurements confirmed the conversion of three-fold borate units (BO3) to tetrahedral borate units (BO4) before irradiation and a back conversion was studied post irradiation, with addition of Eu2O3 ions; which was cross verified through N-4 and N-3 coordination numbers. Effects of gamma rays have been confirmed through ESR spectra where, resonance paramagnetic centers were perceived. Decrease in the intensities and red shift in the absorption peaks (UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra) indicates the formation of the color centers in the glass matrices after high energetic gamma exposure. Stability of the samples were calculated using different characteristic temperatures (T-g, T-x, T-c, T-m) which was employed through DSC technique. Different elastic moduli (E, K, G, mu) of the samples were calculated and studied using standard Makishima-Mackenzie's model. Hardness (H) number of the samples have also been measured which showed decrease in the H values after irradiation with increase in Fragility (F) parameter. The unusual trend observed in the E-g values of the samples were validated through the Molar Volume (V-m), Oxide ion polarizability (alpha(e)) and optical basicity (A) values. The samples could be recommended for solid state lighting devices because of its semiconducting nature energy band gap values (E-g: 2.34-2.83 eV). The competitive stability factors (Dietzel factor (Delta T) similar to 160-270 degrees C; Hruby's number (Hr): 1.130-4.237), high densities (rho: 3.8501-4.1944 g/cm(3)), hardness parameter (H: 3.32-4.46 GPa) and low poisson's ratio (mu: 0.241-0.257) with supportive ae values motivates the samples to be proposed as radiation shielders and in space applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.