Transition metal-doped glasses for radiation shielding applications

To examine the impact of systematic compositional changes on the radiation shielding capabilities of manganese dioxide (MnO2) doped boro-bismuth glasses-two distinct glass series were synthesized: one with a lead fluoride (PbF2) base and the other with a calcium fluoride (CaF2) base, where the concentration of Al2O3 was progressively increased from 3 to 15 mol% at the expense of the (PbF2) and (CaF2). The non-crystalline structure of the glasses was confirmed by XRD analysis. The density and radiation-shielding parameters, including the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC,μm) and effective atomic number (Zeff), were measured using the Stimulating software Phy-X/PSD. For the PbF2-based series, density decreased from 4.49 to 4.13 g/cm3, MAC dropped from 88.64 cm2/gm to 75.37 cm2/gm, and Zeff decreased from 77.99 to 75.85. For the CaF2-based series, density decreased from 3.73 to 3.35 g/cm3, MAC: 58.746 to 56.279 cm2/g and Zeff rose from 66.74 to 67.69. Lead-based glasses provide the best radiation shielding, according to the data, whereas calcium-based glasses have tunable characteristics and are safer and more environmentally friendly. These materials can be used in medical imaging, radiotherapy facilities, nuclear power plants, aerospace applications, and portable radiation protection since adding Al2O3 greatly increases their strength and radiation shielding capacity.