Tailoring the optical, mechanical, and gamma-ray-attenuation performance of G-T-B glasses by doping nano rare-earth (Gd, Yb, Tm)

Three transparent TeO₂–GeO₂–B₂O₃–MgO glasses, each doped with nano-sized rare-earth oxides including gadolinium oxide (Gd₂O₃), thulium oxide (Tm₂O₃), and ytterbium oxide (Yb₂O₃), were fabricated to evaluate their optical, mechanical, and ionizing-radiation-shielding properties. Glass samples were assigned codes Gd, Yb, and Tm. While the mechanical characteristics were computed theoretically depending on the Makishima and Mackenzie approach, optical qualities were assessed using UV–Vis absorption spectra. The Yb and Tm samples recorded the lowest and highest band gap values. At the same time, the mechanical properties showed slight variation in mechanical properties. For example, the Young modulus for Gd, Yb, and Tm samples are 88.675, 88.849, and 88.794 GPa. Following the natural behavior of photon interaction with matter, the MAC lowers with photon energy. Various ionizing radiation parameters were deduced from the MAC and density. For Gd, Tm, and Yb samples, correspondingly, the obtained LAC value at 0.5 MeV is 0.3431 cm–1, 0.3508 cm⁻¹, and 0.35293 cm⁻¹. With an HVL of 1.96 cm at 0.5 MeV, the Yb sample exhibits better shielding capabilities. Furthermore, the FNRCS for the Yb glass sample is 0.11012 cm⁻¹, higher than that of other conventional materials like ordinary concrete, graphite, and water. The findings underscore the efficacy of heavy metal oxide-doped glasses as radiation shielding materials.