Temperature-dependent electric conductivity and radiation-shielding parameters of Fe2O3-doped aluminum calcium-berated amorphous solid at different frequencies

Abstract

This study investigates how Fe₂O₃ influences the structural-nature, electrical-behavior, and dielectric relaxation properties of calcium-aluminum borate-based glass, focusing on its potential for radiation shielding, dielectric relaxation, and conductivity improvement. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis shows that Fe₂O₃ content increases diffraction counts, suggesting enhanced crystallite formation and higher glass density, without altering the glasschv’s amorphous nature. Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) analysis reveals changes in vibrational modes, particularly those associated with transition metal vibrations, suggesting that Fe₂O₃ affects the glass’s chemical bonding, especially increasing OH group amplitude, which impacts the dielectric constant. Electrical conductivity increases with Fe₂O₃ content, showing thermally activated frequency-dependent behavior. The study also highlights the role of Fe cations in enhancing conductivity through the hopping mechanism, though it does not affect the nonbridging oxygen concentration. The dielectric relaxation behavior is analyzed using the Cole–Cole model, revealing changes in relaxation times and activation energies, making Fe-rich glasses suitable for energy storage and solid-state applications. For radiation shielding, Fe₂O₃ incorporation improves the ability of the calcium-aluminum borate-based glass to attenuate radiation, as demonstrated by higher linear attenuation coefficients (μ), lower half-value layers (HVL), and lower mean free paths (MFP) for Fe-rich samples. The x-30 sample (30% Fe₂O₃) exhibits superior shielding compared to samples with lower Fe₂O₃ content, showing enhanced performance in γ-ray and neutron attenuation. Finally, the study finding that Fe₂O₃ significantly improves the shielding capabilities of calcium-aluminum borate glasses, with x-30 being the most effective, makes it a promising candidate for radiation protection applications.

Graphical abstract