Fabrication, optical characteristic, and nuclear radiation shielding properties of newly synthesised PbO–GeO2 glasses

In this study, optical properties and nuclear protective efficiency of newly fabricated PbO–GeO2 glass samples (GP) fabricated with different concentration of TiO2 (0.2%, 0.5%, and 4%, in wt%) were investigated. PbO–GeO2 glass samples have been prepared by the conventional melt-quenching method. Using optical absorption spectra, band gap and optical properties of the PbO–GeO2 glass samples were evaluated. In addition, mass attenuation coefficient values of the fabricated glass samples were calculated in the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV using MCNPX simulation and the theoretical WinXcom program. In addition, several nuclear shielding parameters were calculated for gamma ray and neutrons such as half-value layer, mean free path, effective atomic number (Zeff), exposure buildup factor, energy absorption buildup factor, and fast neutron removal cross sections (ΣR). The results showed that glass sample with 0.2% of TiO2 and with the highest density has an excellent nuclear radiation shielding ability for gamma ray, whereas the one with the highest TiO2 contribution (4.0% of TiO2) has a better protection against fast neutrons shielding among the produced glass samples. The results also showed a slight change for the Eopt with TiO2 concentration and the same applies to the refractive index. However, Eopt tends to decrease when TiO2 concentration increases and, consequently, the refractive index tends to increase.