Photon attenuation, dose rate and buildup factors of porous glasses containing GeO2

Abstract

In this present work, SiO₂–GeO₂–Na₂O–B₂O₃ (SiGeNaBx) glass compositions containing varying additions of GeO₂ (22, 33, 44, and 55 mol. %) coded as SiGeNaB1, SiGeNaB2, SiGeNaB3, and SiGeNaB4, respectively, were reported. The effects of variation of GeO₂ on the radiation protective properties of the developed porous glasses were then analyzed. The elemental composition showed the glasses contain elements of B (boron), O (oxygen), Si (silicon), germanium (Ge), and Na (sodium), with an increased weight percent of Ge, establishing the formulated glasses. Both mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) and mass energy-absorption coefficient (MEAC) increased with increased GeO₂ content, respectively, with SiGeNaB4 exhibiting higher MAC and MEAC values of 42.61 and 29.32 cm²g^-1, respectively, but with increased radiation intensity ($\Gamma$) lower energies. Both effective atomic number (Z_eff) and electron density (N_eff) also increased with increased GeO₂ additions at lower energies (0.015–0.1 MeV). The gamma dose rate decreased with increased thickness of glass samples for all the compositions, while SiGeNaB4 exhibited a lower dose rate, suggesting better shielding performance. Sample SiGeNaB4 also displayed a lower exposure build factor (EBF) at lower energy levels. However, in comparison to other radiation shielding glasses, the developed glasses exhibited promising properties, establishing their potential as radiation shielding materials at low photon energy.