Gamma Ray Shielding and Structural Properties of Bi 2 O 3 -B 2 O 3 -Na 2 WO 4 Glass System

Abstract

Gamma ray sources and radioactive materials in several sectors including nuclear power plants, nuclear reactors, nuclear medicine, agriculture and industry have harmful effects on humans and it is essential to provide shield against gamma radiations. Gamma radiations are highly penetrating electromagnetic radiations in the environment. The present work is aimed at exploring new glass composition for gamma ray shielding applications. Gamma ray shielding properties of the composition x Bi2O3-0.6 B2O3-(0.4 - x)Na2WO4.2H2O where x = 0.1 to 0.3 (in mole fraction) have been studied by calculating mass attenuation coefficients and half value layer parameters at photon energies 662, 1173 and 1332 keV using XCOM computer software developed by National Institute of Standards and Technology. Higher values of mass attenuation coefficients and lower values of HVL than barite concrete indicate the glass system as better gamma radiation shield. Density, molar volume, XRD and UV-Visible studies have been performed to study the structural properties of the prepared glass system. From the analysis of obtained results, it is reported that density of the prepared glass samples increases with the content of heavy metal oxide Bi2O3. XRD studies confirm the amorphous nature of the glass composition. It has been concluded that bismuth borate tungstate glasses are better shields for γ-radiations in comparison to the standard nuclear radiation shielding concretes and commercially available glasses.