Effect of different modifier oxides on the synthesis, structural, optical, and gamma/beta shielding properties of bismuth lead borate glasses doped with europium

A new set of bismuth lead borate glasses is synthesized using melt quenching technique with the chemical composition 39B(2)O(3) + 30PbO + 20MO + 10Bi(2)O(3) + 1Eu(2)O(3) (where M = K, Na, Ca, Sr and Ba). Lead based host matrix has been chosen since it acts as an effective material for radiation shielding applications. 30% of Lead oxide is used in every glass along with the varying modifier oxides and the comparative study is reported. The amorphous nature is confirmed via XRD analysis for the synthesized glasses. The physical and structural properties are calculated to get a clear idea about the potentiality of shielding that every glass can withstand. Mechanical strength of the glass is checked by calculating the Poisson's ratio, since breakage of glasses under stress conditions also need to be tested very much in the nuclear reactors for safety purposes. Optical studies are carried out through UV-Vis absorption spectra and the transitions between the energy levels of Eu3+ ions are reported. By using Tauc's plot direct and indirect band gap values are calculated along with Urbach energy values. Additionally, the radiation shielding properties of the synthesized glasses are also calculated by using both XCOM and ESTAR programs.