Impact of NaF on electrical and radiation shielding properties of CdO-B2O3 glass system

Abstract

xNaF-(40-x)CdO-60B₂O₃ glass system (NFCBx) was prepared using the melt quenching technique, where x = 5, 10, 15. 20, 25, 30 35 mol %. All prepared samples were characterized using impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range of 50Hz to 5 MHz. Moreover, these samples were subjected to a gamma radiation shielding test using the WinCOM computer program across a wide photon energy range. The impedance spectra from room temperature to 623K with an increment of 50K were recorded. Parameters like bulk resistance (R_b), bulk capacitance (C_b), relaxation time, activation energies, mass attenuation coefficient and Effective Atomic Number were evaluated. The conductivity of the prepared glass samples was independent of frequency at lower frequencies. Still, it varied at higher frequencies. The bulk capacitance increases with an increase in temperature and NaF concentration. Activation energy values are found to decrease as NaF concentration rises. The NFCB3 sample exhibited significantly higher mass attenuation coefficient and Effective Atomic Number values than other commercial SCHOTT glasses across most energy ranges. Hence, NFCB3 glass material is recommended for specialized applications in medical and nuclear settings where excellent dielectric, impedance, radiation attenuation properties and transparency are crucial.