Na2O, BaO VE WO3 içeren borat camların gama radyasyon zırhlama özelliklerinin araştırılması = Investigation of gamma radiation shielding properties borate glasses containing Na2O, BaO VE WO3

Abstract

This research presents a detailed study of the gamma-ray shielding properties of glass samples composed of B2O3 , Na2O, BaO, and WO3. The purpose of this research is to develop materials with improved radiation shielding effectiveness to mitigate the harmful effects of gamma radiation exposure, which poses significant risks in various industries. Radiation shielding is crucial not only in the nuclear and medical fields but also in energy production, defense, aerospace technology, and even agriculture, where radiation sources are increasingly used. Evaluating the effectiveness of materials such as glass compositions is thus essential for designing practical and reliable shielding solutions that ensure both safety and functionality. The study analyzed three glass samples with distinct chemical compositions to determine the effect of varying levels of WO3 on the radiation absorption and attenuation capacities of these glasses. The first glass sample, referred to as (S1), contains 75% B2O3, 5% Na2O, and 20% BaO, while the second sample (S2) contains a similar composition with an additional 3% WO3. The third sample (S3) has 10% BaO and 10% WO3, giving it the highest concentration of tungsten oxide. Since WO3 has a high atomic number, its addition is expected to enhance the radiation absorption properties of glass, making it more effective for shielding purposes. The study's goal was to understand how the increased WO3 content in glass affects gamma radiation shielding, as tungsten oxide, with its high atomic number and density, is well-known for its potential to absorb radiation efficiently—a desirable trait for radiation shielding materials in practical applications. The research methodology primarily relied on the Monte Carlo simulation technique, which is known for its robust capacity to model complex physical interactions in a virtual environment. Monte Carlo simulations use random number generation and probability theory to replicate physical events, making them highly effective for analyzing the interactions between radiation and materials. In this study, the Geant4 software package, based on the Monte Carlo method, was employed due to its ability to simulate particle interactions within materials accurately. Geant4 is widely used in fields such as nuclear physics, space research, medical physics, and materials science because it can simulate particle trajectories, energy distributions, and scattering phenomena in detail. To enhance the reliability of the results, the study cross-validated the data obtained from Geant4 with findings from other software such as XCOM and Phy-X, which are also specialized in calculating radiation absorption and attenuation coefficients in various materials. This comparative analysis ensured the accuracy and reliability of the results, providing a strong foundation for potential future research. The study focused on key radiation shielding parameters, including mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP). Each of these parameters provides essential insights into how materials interact with radiation. The mass attenuation coefficient is a critical factor that indicates the amount of radiation absorbed per unit mass of a material. Higher MAC values suggest better radiation absorption capacity. According to the study's findings, sample S3 exhibited the highest MAC value, demonstrating that it absorbs radiation more effectively than the other samples. This property is particularly beneficial for applications that require substantial protection against radiation exposure for both individuals and equipment, as a higher MAC translates to a stronger ability to attenuate gamma rays and reduce exposure. Another important parameter examined in the study is the linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), which reflects the extent to which radiation intensity is reduced as it passes through a material. Higher LAC values indicate increased effectiveness in attenuating radiation, making the material more suitable for shielding applications. The results show that sample S3, with its higher WO3 content, had a superior LAC value, meaning it performed better at weakening radiation intensity compared to the other samples. This finding underscores the potential of WO3 as a key additive in developing high-performance radiation shielding materials. The half-value layer (HVL) was another parameter analyzed in this study. HVL is defined as the thickness of material required to reduce the intensity of radiation to half its original value. A lower HVL implies that the material can achieve effective radiation shielding with less thickness. The study found that sample S3 had a lower HVL than the other samples, indicating that it can provide the same level of protection with a thinner layer of material. This property not only enhances the material's practicality but also offers economic advantages by reducing the quantity of material needed for effective shielding. This is especially beneficial in applications where space is limited or weight is a concern, such as in aerospace and certain medical equipment. In addition to these parameters, the study examined the mean free path (MFP), which represents the average distance that radiation travels between interactions within a material. A lower MFP means that radiation is absorbed or scattered more frequently within the material, thereby enhancing its shielding capability. Sample S3 demonstrated a lower MFP compared to the other samples, further substantiating its effectiveness in absorbing gamma rays. This finding is critical in understanding how increased WO3 content impacts the material's ability to protect against high-energy gamma radiation, making it advantageous for applications requiring high levels of radiation protection. The research also focused on effective atomic number (Zeff) and effective electron density (Neff), which are vital in evaluating the radiation shielding potential of multi-component materials. The effective atomic number is particularly important in determining a material's capacity to absorb radiation, as elements with a higher atomic number can interact more intensely with gamma rays. Tungsten's high atomic number contributes significantly to this interaction, enhancing the material's radiation absorption capability. The study found that sample S3 had a higher effective atomic number, which strengthens its interaction with radiation and increases its absorption efficiency. Likewise, the effective electron density (Neff) represents the number of electrons per unit mass in the material. A higher Neff translates to improved radiation absorption potential, as it increases the probability of interactions between radiation and the electrons within the material. Sample S3, with its higher Neff value, showed greater resistance against radiation, indicating its suitability as an effective shielding material in environments with high gamma radiation exposure. To further ensure the accuracy of the findings, the study compared results from Geant4 with data from XCOM and Phy-X software, which are commonly used for calculating absorption and scattering coefficients for materials exposed to radiation. The consistency observed between the software results verified the reliability of the Geant4 simulation technique and confirmed the validity of the results, making the findings a robust basis for further research. This agreement also demonstrated that the methodologies used in this study can be trusted for practical applications in material science and radiation protection. The Monte Carlo simulation method, employed through Geant4, offers significant advantages in terms of cost-effectiveness and the ability to model complex radiation-material interactions that might be challenging to reproduce experimentally. This approach allows researchers to test various scenarios with high accuracy and provides valuable insights into the radiation shielding performance of different glass compositions. This capability makes Geant4 a valuable tool in evaluating multiple chemical compositions and identifying the most suitable ones for industrial and medical radiation shielding applications. In conclusion, the study shows that increasing the WO3 content in glass materials significantly enhances their gamma radiation shielding properties. The S3 sample, with a higher concentration of WO3, proved to be the most effective in shielding against gamma radiation, making it the best candidate for applications requiring high levels of radiation protection. These findings offer significant contributions to the development of advanced materials for radiation shielding and have practical implications for improving material design in sectors such as medicine and industry. Gamma radiation shielding materials, such as the glass compositions developed in this study, hold promising applications across a wide spectrum, from healthcare to nuclear energy, providing enhanced safety for personnel and sensitive equipment