Synthesis, Thermal, Optical, and Radiation-Absorbing Properties of Bi2O3-Li2O-As2O3-B2O3 Glasses

Borate glasses can be excellent optical and radiation-shielding glasses when they play host to Bi2O3 and Li2O. The extent of the physical, structural, optical, and radiation-absorbing property modifications of xBi2O3-(30-x)Li2O-10As2O3-60B2O3 glasses when the concentrations of Bi2O3 and Li2O are altered is presented in this report. Glasses xBi2O3-(30-x)Li2O-10As2O3-60B2O3 with x = 5 mol%, 10 mol%, 15 mol%, 20 mol%, and 25 mol% were fabricated by the melt-quench synthesis method using ultra-pure (GR grade) reagents. The amorphous structure of the prepared glasses was confirmed by XRD (x-ray diffraction) analysis, while the glass transition temperature (Tg), density, and optical transmission data were obtained following standard laboratory techniques. The glasses were characterized for gamma and fast neutron shielding competence by estimating their mass attenuation coefficient and fast neutron removal cross-section. The density and molar volume of the fabricated glasses increases with the Bi2O3 content, while on the other hand the oxygen packing density decreases. The current glass system has a Tg in the range 403–434°C. Evaluated optical parameters showed fluctuations dictated by the chemical compositions of the BLABx glasses. The absorption edge in the glasses shifts from 412 nm to 429 nm as the amount of Bi2O3 changes from 5 mol% to 25 mol%. Analysis of the gamma rays and fast neutron absorption quantities showed that the addition of Bi2O3 up to 25 mol% had opposing effects on the ability of the glasses to shield the two types of radiation. Also, the present glasses showed an overwhelming advantage in terms of radiation-shielding applications in comparison to many existing γ-radiation shields. They are thus recommended as environmentally attractive materials in the design and implementation of radiation protection structures.