Comparative Analysis of Gamma-Ray Shielding in Glass Systems with Pb/Bi Heavy Elements

Introduction: The development of effective, eco-friendly radiation shielding materials is critical for medical and nuclear applications. This research investigates the effect of bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) content on the gamma-ray attenuation properties of PbO–Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂–Bi₂O₃ glasses. Material and Methods: Six distinct glass compositions, characterized by varying mole fractions of Bi₂O₃, were meticulously selected for this study. The mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) and linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) were computed utilizing the Geant4 Monte Carlo simulation toolkit and subsequently validated against the Phy-X/PSD computational software. The half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), and effective atomic number (Zeff) were derived across a gamma-ray energy spectrum ranging from 0.015 to 10 MeV. Results: Excellent agreement was observed between Geant4 and Phy-X results (relative error < 2%). The LAC increased with Bi₂O₃ content, particularly at low energies (< 0.3 MeV), where sample S-6 (highest Bi₂O₃) exhibited the highest attenuation. HVL and TVL increased with photon energy but decreased with higher Bi₂O₃ concentration, confirming enhanced shielding efficiency. S-6 displayed the lowest TVL, indicating superior performance. Zeff varied significantly with composition and energy, reaching a minimum near 2 MeV for all samples. All glasses showed shielding capabilities comparable to or better than conventional glass shields. Conclusion: Increasing Bi₂O₃ content substantially improves gamma-ray shielding in lead-bismuth borosilicate glasses, especially at low energies. These glasses are promising candidates for radiation protection applications.