Investigation of mechanical features and gamma-ray shielding efficiency of ternary TeO2-based glass systems containing Li2O, Na2O, K2O, or ZnO

Abstract

Mechanical features and gamma-ray shielding competence of four ternary TeO2-based glass systems with the form of 80TeO(2)-10Li(2)O-10BaO (S1), 80TeO(2)-10Na(2)O-10BaO (S2), 80TeO(2)-10K(2)O-10BaO (S3), and 80TeO(2)-10Na(2)O-10ZnO (S4) were evaluated. The mechanical parameters were estimated via Makishima-Mackenzie's (M-M) model, while the gamma-ray shielding parameters were evaluated via the Monte Carlo method (Geant4) and the theoretical calculation (Phy-X/PSD). The results of these two methods were in good agreement. The results showed that the ionic packing density (Vt) was observed in the order of 0.504, 0.496, 0.495, and 0.499 (m(3)/mol) for S1, S2, S3, and S4 glasses, respectively. The total dissociation energy (Gt) varied from 54.94 x 10(6) (KJ/m(3)) for S1 glasses to 49.07 x 10(6) (KJ/m(3)) for S3 glasses. The maximum elastic properties (K-m, E-m, G(m), L-m), Poisson's ratio (sigma(m)), and hardness (H) were found for S1 glasses, while the minimum was found for S3 glasses. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) of the investigated S1-S4 glasses was in the order: (MAC)(S1) > (MAC)(S3) > (MAC)(S2) > (MAC)(S4). The LAC arranged according to the order of (LAC)(S1) > (LAC)(S2) > (LAC)(S4) > (LAC)(S3). It was found that S1 has the lowest HVL with values from 0.00312 cm (at 15 keV) to 3.428 cm at (15 MeV). Buildup factors for gamma exposure (EBF) and gamma absorption energy (EABF) were also evaluated and discussed in terms of their variation with energy and their variation with penetration depths. Finally, the neutron shielding properties of the investigated glass were estimated for each glass in terms of removal cross section for fast neutrons. The S1 glass was found to own shielding efficiency better than commercial glasses and ordinary concrete.