Eco-friendly repurposing of by-pass waste for optics and radiation protection: addressing hazardous material challenges

This study delves into the investigation of the optical and gamma radiation shielding properties of glasses formulated with varying concentrations of by-pass (cement dust) combined with Na₂O, Fe₂O₃, Bi₂O₃, and P₂O₅. The specific compositions are represented as ((x) by-pass–(20) Na₂O–(10) Fe₂O₃–(20) Bi₂O₃–(50 − x) P₂O₅), with “x” ranging from 0 to 15 wt%. The structural and optical properties of these glasses were analyzed using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and UV-visible-NIR spectroscopy techniques. The XRD results reveal the absence of Bragg peaks and highlight the amorphous nature of the prepared samples. Notably, increasing by-pass concentration enhanced UV-visible-NIR transmittance, particularly from 400 nm to 850 nm. Radiation shielding assessments were conducted across photon energies ranging from 80 to 2614 keV. The results highlighted that the linear and mass attenuation coefficients were inversely proportional to the photon energy. The by-pass15 glass, with the highest by-pass concentration, consistently demonstrated superior shielding attributes compared to its counterparts, with the lowest half-value layer (G_HVL) values and the most substantial radiation protection efficiency (RPE). Comparative assessments with other glasses and concrete types further accentuated the potential of the by-pass15 glass as a promising candidate for gamma radiation shielding applications. The results obtained in this research pave the way for potentially utilizing by-pass15 glass in environments where radiation protection is imperative. Incorporating by-pass in glass composites enhances their gamma shielding efficiency and promotes the sustainable use of by-pass, underscoring the dual advantages of this innovative approach.