Recent progress in the radiation shielding performance of common glass systems: The roles of different class of modifiers

Glass materials are becoming important shielding materials in ionizing radiation applications due to their cost and performance effectiveness. This minireview aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the advancements in radiation shielding glasses, future research and development in the field for common glass groups. The class of glasses covered in this review are limited to borate, phosphate, silicate, tellurite, Pb-Pb-, and Bi-based glasses. The review also covers the analysis, influence, and advantages of different modifying cations or their oxides in shielding glasses investigated within the last two decades. This review is motivated by the need for superior glass shields in different areas of radiation applications, show trend in radiation glass research and application, and providing understanding of how different modifying oxides can be used to tailor glass performance in radiation exposure control. The review concluded that the roles of modifying agents in glasses depends on factors such nature of base glass, amount and density of modifier, and radiation of interest. The use of PbO increases gamma shielding efficiencies of glasses but the fear of Pb-poisoning influenced the use of other heavy metal oxides. However, the use of Pb in shielding glasses is still growing.