Bi2O3 additive effects on gamma radiation shielding properties of 45SiO2-20B2O3-23Na2O3-9CaO-3Al2O3 glass

Abstract

Radiation poses a significant threat to living organisms, necessitating the development of effective shielding materials. This study investigates the properties of glass materials with varying proportions of SiO₂ and B₂O₃, selecting 45SiO₂–20B₂O₃–23Na₂O–9CaO–3Al₂O₃ (mol%) as the base composition. X-ray diffraction analysis confirmed the amorphous nature of the prepared glasses, while differential thermal analysis (DTA) determined glass transition temperatures (Tg). Precise density measurements were conducted to validate the structural findings. Monte Carlo N-Particle (MCNP) simulations were employed to assess the photon energy absorbance characteristics of the glasses, revealing that adding Bi₂O₃, up to 15 mol% in the GSB2-15 glass, significantly enhances gamma-ray shielding properties. Key results show that increasing Bi₂O₃ content from 0 to 15 mol% improves photon energy absorption, with the GSB2-15 glass achieving a density of 2.691 g/cm³ and a Tg of 533.19 °C, both superior to those of other compositions. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy further demonstrated that GSB2-15 maintains structural stability under gamma radiation doses up to 3.98 Gy, with minimal bond disruption. These findings establish the GSB2-15 glass, with 15 mol% Bi₂O₃, as a highly effective candidate for radiation shielding applications.