Optical/radiation shielding properties and phase separation effects of industrial waste based borosilicate glasses

This study prepared glass compositions by adding Bi 2 O 3 at different rates to industrial waste containing higher alkali and lower glass former than classical glass systems. X-ray diffraction analysis (XRD) was applied to the glasses produced by the casting method, and it was determined that there was a low amount of partial crystallization in the sample containing 30 wt % Bi 2 O 3 . In contrast, all other glasses were completely amorphous. Optical analyses were applied to the glasses, and absorbance and transmittance measurements were made. It was determined that the addition of Bi 2 O 3 increased the light-absorbing ability of the glasses. It was determined that the binodal separation effect created by Bi addition was more effective on the optical properties than the spinodal phase separation formed in borosilicate-based glasses. The sample containing 30 wt % Bi 2 O 3 was not transparent, while other compositions were found to be transparent. As the Bi 2 O 3 addition in the glass composition increased, a decrease in the band gap was observed. In addition, radiation shielding studies were carried out, including mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), tenth value layer (TVL), half value layer (HVL), and mean free path (MFP) measurements. The results show that the addition of Bi 2 O 3 improves the radiation shielding properties. LAC values were determined between 0.1509 cm −1 and 0.2508 cm −1 , increasing with Bi 2 O 3 addition. MFP values were determined between 3.9867 cm −1 and 6.6255 cm −1 , decreasing with Bi 2 O 3 addition.