Gamma-ray shielding features of lithium borate glass doped with Ag, Cd and Zn using Phy-X program

Abstract

Lithium borate glasses doped with three transition metals: Ag, Cd and Zn were prepared with the melt-quenching method. Dopants concentrations were (Li₂B₄O₇)_(100−x) (Zn[NO₃]₂, CdN₂O₆, AgNO₃) (x = 0%, 1%, 5%). Doped glasses were analyzed and their shielding features were determined. The XRD measurements show the amorphous state of the glasses. Fluorescence analysis shows the characteristic emission of Ag, Cd and Zn and their enhancement is explained. UV–vis spectra were recorded in the interval 200–900 nm, and show the peaks belonging to the plasmon of the three transition metals. The optical energy band gaps were calculated using the Tauc's plot model; also, the refractive index was calculated. Additionally, density (ρ) and molar volume (V_m) were calculated as part of the characterization of the samples. In order to determine the shielding features against gamma-rays the mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ)(E), the half value layer (HVL(E)) and the Effective Atomic Number (Z_eff(E)) for photons from 0.015 to 15 MeV using the Phy-X program.