Effect of ZnO on Radiation Shielding Performance and Gamma Dose of Boron Silicate Glasses

Abstract

In this research paper, gamma dose rate and radiation shielding performance are reported for high optical transparency zinc boron silicate glass system. The present optical glass system is described by the formula of (SiO2)20(B2O3)80-x(ZnO)x, with x = 60, 64 and 67 mol.%. Geant4 simulations, Monte Carlo method, is carried out to evaluate the mass attenuation factors and the results are compared theoretically with XCOM findings. Moreover, mass energy-absorption factors are calculated and then used to estimate the specific gamma constants and gamma dose rate. It is found that the surplus of ZnO concentration plays an essential role to evolve shielding ability of the glassy system involved. The radiation shielding performance of the optical zinc borosilicate glassy system is compared with that of different systems namely CFCBPC0, SLGC-E1, LZB1, and SBC-B00. This comparison shows an interesting observations and a potential possibility to develop this glassy system as a promising candidate for shielding application in the nuclear facilities where the optical transparency is required.