Effect of Gd₂O₃ on radiation shielding, physical and optical properties of sodium borosilicate glass system

The radiation shielding, physical and optical properties were studied with the glass formula in the composition of xGd₂O₃: 40Na₂O: 5SiO₂: (55-x)B₂O₃, where x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, 10, 12.5, 15 mol%, respectively. The gadolinium sodium borosilicate glasses were melted entirely by melt quenching technique at 1200^oc. Gamma-ray shielding property was studied with Compton scattering technique from 0.224 MeV to 0.662 MeV gamma-ray energy range. The density and molar volume of the glass samples were increased with higher Gd₂O₃ concentration. The glass samples show high transparency which can be observed from transmission spectra. The radiation shielding properties are better with increased Gd₂O₃ concentrations. The results of total mass attenuation coefficient, the effective atomic number and the effective electron density showed the theoretical and experimental values are in good agreement and showed similar trends. The best shielding radiation properties were obtained at 15% of Gd₂O₃ concentration. At 15% of Gd₂O₃ concentration shows the same attenuation behavior with 0.64 mm of lead. The half value layer (0.662 MeV) at 15% of Gd₂O₃ concentration is better than the commercial window, serpentine and ordinary concrete.