Examining the Neutron and Gamma Attenuation Characteristics of Various Amorphous Structures with Bioactive Properties

Bioactive glasses are silicates that have phosphorus, calcium, and sodium in them. These glasses were created to help or carry out essential functions in the living tissues of the human body. The exceptional mechanical and physical properties of bioactive glasses make them suitable for radiation protection This study presents the neutron and gamma shielding properties of thirteen bioactive amorphous glass samples that are divided into three groups. The mass attenuation coefficient, represented by (μ/ρ), for the selected bioactive glasses was calculated using the Phy-X/PSD program in the photon energy range of 0.02 to 15 MeV. The μ/ρ was also used to evaluate other important metrics for the selected bioactive glasses, including the half and tenth value layer (HVL and TVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron number (Neff). The transition factors (TFs) of bioactive amorphous materials, whose radiation shielding parameters were calculated theoretically, were simulated at three energies by PHITS (Particle and Heavy Ion Transport Code System). The FPG6 in particular shows a noticeable drop in TF values among the CaF-doped samples, indicating their enhanced radiation-shielding capacity. When compared to other bioactive glasses, it is clear that FPG6 glass has the lowest HVL, TVL, and MFP values. To evaluate the neutron protection properties of the bioactive glasses under study, effective removal cross-section values (ΣR) have been developed. According to the findings, BG4B possesses outstanding neutron attenuation capabilities.