Reinforcing silicate glass with waste lead and cadmium batteries to be used as shielding materials for gamma rays and thermal neutrons

Abstract

Safe recycling of waste is one of the most effective solutions for preserving the environment, saving raw material resources, and reducing wealth consumption. Accordingly, in this article, lead (Pb) extracted from spent lead-acid batteries (SLAB) and the cadmium (Cd) extracted from spent nickel‑cadmium batteries (SNiCdB)were recycled into a host glass network to enhance its ability to attenuate gamma rays and thermal neutrons, making it suitable as a multifunctional shield. A pure host network of sodium calcium silicate glass (SCSPbCd0) was prepared and simultaneously reinforced with Pb and Cd. The produced glasses were labeled as SCSPbCd1 (containing 10 and 5 wt% of Pb and Cd), SCSPbCd2 (containing 20 and 10 wt% of Pb and Cd), and SCSPbCd3 (containing 30 and 15 wt% of Pb and Cd). The chemical analysis, structural properties, and optical properties confirmed the successful recycling of extracted Pb and Cd within the proposed SCSPbCd0 glass network. Although not targeted in the current study, high concentrations of Ni were detected in the glasses, which surely accompanied the extracted Cd. Reinforcing the silicate glass network with the extracted Pb, Cd, and Ni significantly improved the attenuation ability for gamma rays of energies of 661.64, 1173.23, and 1332.51 keV. The half value layer of the produced SCSPbCd3 glass, which contained the highest concentration of Pb, Cd, and Ni (28.52, 14.88, and 8.11 wt%), was reduced by 81.88 %, 77.272 %, and 76.794 % for 661.64, 1173.23, and 1332.51 keV, respectively. A significant improvement in the thermal neutrons attenuation performance was observed in the proposed host glass network due to its reinforcement with Cd, as the cross-section largely increased by 10,374 % in the SCSPbCd3 glass. Accordingly, glass materials are suitable media for recycling the SLAB and SNiCdB and their components can be used to enhance the glass properties. The recycling of extracted Pb, Cd, and Ni from these batteries has improved the attenuation capabilities, producing effective shields against neutrons and gamma rays.