Nuclear radiation shielding properties of calcium aluminum barium sodium borate glass samples doped with Dy3+ions

Abstract

Nuclear technology finds extensive application across various industries, medical physics, and research institutions, spanning fields such as agriculture and food technology. Despite its benefits, the pervasive use of ionizing radiation underscores the need for effective shielding materials to mitigate associated risks. Lead and concrete, traditionally favored for their attenuation properties, pose challenges due to weight, opacity, and toxicity concerns. In this context, calcium aluminum barium sodium borate glasses doped with Dy3+ ions emerge as promising alternatives for radiation shielding. This study investigates the ionizing electromagnetic radiation (gamma and X-ray) shielding capabilities of calcium aluminum barium sodium borate glasses doped with Dy3+ ions across a range of concentrations (0.1, 0.3, 0.5, and 1.0% mol). The mass attenuation coefficients and linear attenuation coefficients of four glass samples (S1 to S4) were determined using the software (Phy-X). Additionally, parameters such as effective atomic number (Zeff), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL) and mean free path (mfp) were computed to assess shielding effectiveness. The results indicate that higher Dy3+ concentrations correlate with increased attenuation effectiveness, as evidenced by elevated mu and mu m values. Glass sample S4, with the highest Dy3+ concentration, demonstrated superior shielding properties, attributed to its elevated density. Notably, the study elucidates the relationship between attenuation coefficients and photon energy, highlighting the dominance of photoelectric and Compton scattering effects. Furthermore, analysis of HVL, mfp, and Zeff values reveals the nuanced interplay between glass composition and radiation attenuation. Despite variations in composition, S4 consistently exhibited optimal shielding characteristics across photon energy ranges. The investigation also examines exposure and energy absorption buildup factors, indicating that higher Dy3+ concentrations lead to lower buildup values, indicative of enhanced shielding performance. In conclusion, the study underscores the potential of Dy3+ doped calcium aluminum barium sodium borate glasses as effective radiation shielding materials, offering insights into their composition-dependent attenuation properties. These findings contribute to the development of lead-free alternatives and advance the understanding of radiation shielding mechanisms in glass matrices, with implications for diverse applications in nuclear technology and beyond.