Lead borate glasses and synergistic impact of lanthanum oxide additive: optical and nuclear radiation shielding behaviors

Composition of (50 − x) B₂O₃–30PbO–20ZnO–xLa₂O₃ (x = 0, 1.5, 3, 4.5, and 6) wt% glass system were synthesized using quench melt technique and simulated for their nuclear radiation shielding properties. Moreover, UV–visible absorption spectrum among 190–1100 nm and the glass optical parameters were measured. The optical energy gap (E_g), the single-oscillator energy (E_o), the dispersion energy parameter (E_d), refractive index (n), and refractive dispersion index (no) were estimated. The obtained results indicated that (E_g) was decreased with increasing La₂O₃ content, but the refractive index (n) was increased. The addition of La₂O₃ to glass network could provide preferable shielding features. The chosen amount of La and another metal oxide has been added to the glass. Shielding parameters such as half-value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), and exposure rate in the photon energy range 15–300 keV have been simulated by MicroShield software. These results illustrate that the La5 glass sample has the best radiation shielding properties, among other investigated glasses. This type of glass sample can utilize for the construction of the monitoring screening windows in radiation areas, plats, or screening windows in X-ray diagnostic and for the walls of CT-scanner rooms.