Fabrication and characterisation of TeO2-based composite doped with Yb3+ and Bi3+ for enhanced radiation shielding safety

Abstract

Heavy metal and rare earth ions are known for altering the optical and radiation transmission data of glasses. This study presents the influence of Yb3+ and Bi3+ on the optical and radiation safety application potentials of the TNBY glass system. Optical parameters were estimated for the glasses using standard expressions. The gamma ray mass attenuation coefficient was estimated through XCOM computation and FLUKA simulations for 15 keV - 15 MeV photons. The optical parameters of the glasses were altered depending on the concentration of Yb and Bi ions. The RMol and alpha m x10-24 assumes the value of 6.190 cm3/mol and 2.456 cm3 for TNBY-02, 6.197 cm3/mol and 2.459 cm3 for TNBY-05, 6.197 cm3/mol and 2.459 cm3 for TNBY-10, 6.102 cm3/mol and 2.422 cm3 for TNBY-15, and 6.235 cm3/mol and 2.474 cm3 for TNBY-Bi10. The mu/rho obtained through the FLUKA simulation and XCOM agreed well within 1%. The mu/rho of the TNBY glasses varies with energy within the limits of 0.0335 - 44.676 cm2/g, 0.0339 - 46.783 cm2/g, 0.0340 - 50.031 cm2/g, 0.0342 - 53.185 cm2/g, and 0.0350 - 55.795 cm2/g for TNBY-02, TNBY-05, TNBY-10, TNBY-15, and TNBY-Bi10 accordingly. Also, the least (maximum) value of the half value thickness appears at 15 keV (6000 keV) with values of 0.0029 (3.82) cm, 0.0027 (3.75) cm, 0.0025 (3.63) cm, 0.0023 (3.40) cm, and 0.0021 (3.37) cm for TNBY-02 - TNBY-Bi10 correspondingly. Generally, the photon shielding ability and dosimetry potential of the glass system improved with Yb3+ and Bi3+ weight content of the glasses. TNBY-Bi10 showed potentials to outperform some traditional and contemporary gamma absorbers such as concrete, commercial glass shields, and recently investigated glass materials. The TNBY-glasses recommended for gamma radiation inhibition functions such as nuclear waste container, structural and source shields.