Binary B2O3-Bi2O3 glasses: scrutinization of directly and indirectly ionizing radiations shielding abilities

Abstract

For five B2O3-Bi2O3 glasses, detailedly, gamma, neutron, & proton, alpha, and electron (charged particles) shielding efficacies were assessed in this work. The crucial photon attenuating (interaction probabilities) parameter i.e., mass attenuation coefficient (mu/rho) was calculated by Phy-X/PSD software and procured mu/rho results have been verified through MCNPX, Geant4, & FLUKA codes mu/rho findings from which a quality unanimity among them was noticed over an energy range of 15 KeV-15 MeV. Following mu/rho & linear attenuation coefficient (mu) outcomes, Z(eff), N-eff, HVL, TVL, and MFP have been reckoned and found that all mu/rho, Zeff, Neff, HVL, TVL, & MFP highly rest on glass chemical contents & photon energy. Z(eq) and by applying geometric progression (G-P) fitting parameters (a, b, c, d, & X-k coefficients) EBFs & EABFs were appraised at ten specific penetration depths up to 40 mfp, at energy range of 0.015-15 MeV. The inferred RPE quantities confirmed all chosen glasses quintessential absorption competence for lower energy gamma-rays. Utilizing SRIM code the mass stopping powers (MSPs) & projected ranges (PRs) for protons ((Psi(P))&(Phi(P))) and alpha particles (Psi(A))&(Psi(A)), and with the help of ESTAR database, electron MSP (Psi(E)) & continuous slowing down approximation (CSDA) ranges for electrons have been approximated at 0.015 -15 MeV KE. The fast neutron removal cross-sections (Sigma(R)) were estimated and obtained Sigma(R) was diversified at 0.10978-0.12144 cm(-1) range relying on Bi2O3 inclusion in glasses. Based on all acquired outputs, 57.5B(2)O(3)-42.5Bi(2)O(3) (mol%) glass possesses superior attenuation capacity for gamma-rays and fast neutrons as well as charged particles. (C) 2020 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.