Investigation of modified zinc borate glasses doped with BaO as a nuclear radiation-shielding material

Background Radiation protection and detection have been a main interest for researchers. The prepared glass samples were subjected to experimental investigations to evaluate their mechanical and attenuation properties. As a consequence, the values of the mass attenuation coefficient, total electronic cross section, the effective atomic number and an effective electron number were determined and utilized to assess the shielding effectiveness of the investigated glass samples. The mass attenuation coefficients of these samples were calculated theoretically using WinXcom program. Purpose Preparation of glass of borate with zinc and barium can withstand shock, heat and corrosion to be used as a radiation shield. Methods Glass samples were prepared by melt quenching technique. Density and molar volume measurements were obtained by applying the Archimedes principle. The hardness was measured by using a microhardness tester (Leco AMH 100, USA) for sample indentation. The thermal behavior of the glass samples was investigated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Also, by using a scintillator detector (1.5 '' x 1.5 '' Nat (T1)) exposed to Th-232, Cs-137 and Co-60 gamma ray sources with accuracy range 0.12%. Results The investigated glasses have relatively good gamma ray attenuation properties, water resistance ability and thermal stability with increasing barium oxide. So, they can be used in containers for keeping radioactive waste and radioactive sources. Conclusion The changes in the molar volume and density show approximately opposite linear trends. Also, mu m is dependent on the chemical compositions of glass samples and energy of gamma rays. Good agreement between the experimentally obtained mass attenuation coefficient values and the corresponding theoretical predictions based on the known WinXcom program was observed. Additionally, the effect of gamma irradiation on this glass is minor because its impact on the hardness values and dissolution rate is extremely small.