Electrical Transport Properties and Gamma-Ray Attenuation Coefficient of Some Phosphate Glasses Containing By-Pass Cement Dust

Some phosphate glasses containing different amounts of by-pass cement dust (BCD) were prepared by the melt quenching method. The selected molecular composition was [(100-x)% - P2O5 (x)% BCD (where 30≤ x≥60)]. The obtained experimental density and molar volume values were inspected and were then compared with those obtained empirically for the close packed structure of the corresponding compounds. The comparison between experimental and emperical values evidenced the short range order of the studied samples. The electric and dielectric properties were thoroughly investigated. The appearance of maxima and minima in the total conductivity BCD concentration dependence can be attributed to the mixed alkali – alkaline earth effect (MAAE) and to the presence of considerable amount of CaO. The suitability of such glasses to act as gamma-ray shielding materials was thoroughly investigated, and correlation between the chemical composition (the BCD concentration) and gamma-ray attenuation behavior was established.