Novel zinc vanadyl boro-phosphate glasses: ZnO-V2O5- P2O5-B2O3: Physical, thermal, and nuclear radiation shielding properties

Novel zinc vanadyl boro-phosphate glasses with nominal compositions 46V(2)O(5)-46P(2)O(5)-(8-x)B2O3-xZnO (x = 0-8 mol %) have been synthesized and coded as VPB8, VPB6Zn2, VPB4Zn4, VPB2Zn6, and VPZn8, respectively. Amorphous structures for all glasses were confirmed with XRD measurements. Density (p sampte ) values of synthesized glasses increased almost linearly from 2.81232 gcm(-3) to 2.89944 gcm(-3) depending on the addition of ZnO. Glass transition temperatures showed a regular decrease with increasing amount of Zn, and decreased to 411 degrees C from 431 degrees C. Substitution of boron with Zn within the structure increased the thermal stability to 82 degrees C from 63 degrees C in accordance with the composition. In addition, nuclear radiation shielding parameters such as linear attenuation coefficient, half value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number, and fast neutron removal cross-section (LAC, HVL, MFP, Z(eff), and Sigma(R)) for the synthesized glasses have been evaluated. VPB8 glasses have the lowest LAC values that ranged from 43.013 cm(-1) at 0.015 MeV to 0.063 cm(-1) at 15 MeV, while VPZn8 glasses have the maximum LAC which ranged from 50.524 cm(-1) to 0.066 cm(-1). HVL and MFP of the prepared samples were in the order of VPB8 > VPB6Zn2 > VPB4Zn4 > VPB2Zn6 > VPZn8. Results ensure that VPZn8 glasses have the best shielding ability against nuclear radiation.