SiO2/Ag2O Substitution of Borosilicate Glasses: Preparation, Structure, Physical Features and γ-ray Protection Capability

In this study, nature, physical characteristics and gamma-ray protection features of the 50B(2)O(3) + 1Tb(4)O(7) + (20-X)SiO2 + 19BaF(2) + 10Li(2)O + XAg2O, where X = 0-5 mol% glasses were investigated. Samples were prepared using the melt quenching procedure and named AgOX. The MCNP simulation code and EpiXs software (EPX) were applied to achieve the mentioned aims. XRD measurements confirmed the amorphous nature of AgOX samples. The density (D-s) of AgOX enhanced from 2.61 g/cm(3) to 2.92 g/ cm(3) as AgO content increased from 0.0 to 5.0 mol%. Molar volume (V-m) declined from 35.06 cm(3)/mol to 34.02 cm(3)/mol. The packing density (P-d) enhanced from 0.517 to 0.533, while the free volume (V-f) changed from 16.37 cm(3)/mol for the AgO0 sample to 15.86 cm3/mol for the AgO5 sample. Linear-attenuation (mu) order was AgO0 < AgO1 < AgO2 < AgO3 < AgO5. The AgO5 sample possessed the lowest half (HVL) and tenth (TVL)-value layers as well as mean free path (MFP). Within the investigated energy range of effective atomic number (Z(ef)) within the range: 44.540 - 15.220, 44.599 - 15.580, 44.653 - 15.929, 44.704 - 16.269, and 44.797 - 16.922 for AgO0, AgO1, AgO2, AgO3, and AgO5 glasses, respectively. The AgO5 sample offers the best gamma-ray shielding capability among AgOX glasses.