Sm2O3 doping-adjusted radiation shielding properties and optical stability under sunlight irradiation of B2O3-Na2O-Sm2O3-Fe2O3 glass

In this work, we prepared sodium borate glass doped with different amounts of iron oxide (Fe2O3) and samarium oxide (Sm2O3). The effects of replacing Fe2O3 with Sm2O3 on the absorbance, optical band gap, Urbach energy, and radiation shielding parameters were studied. With further additions of Sm2O3, the optical band gap values increased from 2.50 to 2.67 eV, while Urbach energy values decreased from 0.49 to 0.42 eV. Further, we explored the effect of sunlight on the absorbance, optical band gaps, and Urbach energy at 90 min of irradiation time. With further exposure to sunlight, the values of the optical band gaps decreased and Urbach energy increased as the exposure time increased from 0 to 90 min. Moreover, the percent of change in absorbance, optical band gap, Urbach energy, refractive index, nonlinear refractive index and third order susceptibility for the glass samples containing the highest concentration of Sm2O3 is insignificant (<10%). The small percentage changes in absorbance, optical band gap, and Urbach energy show that the glasses are stable when exposed to sunlight. On the other hand, the inclusion of higher concentrations of Sm2O3 leads to improved radiation shielding capabilities, as seen by the increased values of the mass attenuation coefficient and half-value layer. Herein, the investigated glasses are both more transparent and more effective at shielding radiation; they're prime candidates for use in this field.