Effect of Gd₂O₃ on the radiation shielding, physical, optical and luminescence behaviors of Gd₂O₃–La₂O₃–ZnO–B₂O₃–Dy₂O₃ glasses

The present work focuses on lead-free glasses, their shielding behavior, and other optical studies. The glass composition with xGd₂O₃+10La₂O₃+10ZnO+(79-x) B₂O₃+1Dy₂O₃, x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mol% were prepared to the characterization on physical, absorption spectra, photo-, radioluminescence, and radiation shielding properties. In the experimental results, the density of Gd-1Dy glass samples increases with the increase of Gd³⁺ ions concentrations. The ten-strong peak in the 5Gd-1Dy glass of absorption spectra in UV–Vis–NIR regions. The white photoluminescence spectra base of Gd-1Dy glass samples can be generated under excitation at 351 nm makes the strongest emission of Dy³⁺ ions and excitation through energy transfer from Gd³⁺ in Gd-1Dy glass samples with 275 and 351 nm. This strong white emission of Dy³⁺ ions also strong in x-ray luminescence and performs the integral scintillation efficiency of 33% when compared with BGO crystal. The radiation shielding properties in the diagnostic medicine energies region are correlated, the values of glass samples better than commercial windows, bricks, and concrete. The HVL values of glass sample at 15 and 20 mol% of Gd₂O₃ has been found better than X-ray windows. The corollaries of Gd-1Dy glass samples can be a candidate for radiation detector and lead-free radiation shielding materials in future.