Probing of nuclear radiation attenuation and mechanical features for lithium bismuth borate glasses with improving Bi₂O₃ content for B₂O₃ + Li₂O amounts

Against photon energies extending from 0.015 to 15 MeV, MCNPX, FLUKA and PHITS codes are operated to simulate mass attenuation coefficients (μ/ρ) for a total of ten B₂O₃-Bi₂O₃-Li₂O glass compositions with added Bi₂O₃ amount from 10 to 55 mol% (5 mol% growth gradually) as a substitute for total (B₂O₃ + Li₂O) mol% content. All the computed μ/ρ values correctness is examined by Py-MLBUF and WinXCOM programs’ μ/ρ outcomes and we found a good agreement among them. 55Bi₂O₃-35B₂O₃-10Li₂O (mol%) glass half-value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) quantities are compared with distinct commercial γ-ray attenuating glasses, alloys, polymers, concretes and lead and ceramics corresponding values. Next, equivalent atomic numbers (Z_eq) and by employing geometric progression (G–P) fitting method at 1–40 mfp PDs (penetration depths), at 0.015–15 MeV energy range ‘buildup factors’ were calculated. At all chosen twenty-five energies derived radiation protection efficiency (RPE) results assured investigated samples exemplary competence for low energy photons absorption. Applying SRIM codes Ψ_P and Φ_P and Ψ_A and Φ_A (mass stopping powers (MSPs) and projected ranges (PRs) for protons and α-particles), and making use of ESTAR database Ψ_E (electron MSP) and continuous slowing‐down approximation (CSDA) range for electrons are determined at KE (kinetic energy) range of 0.015–15 MeV. Moreover, fast neutron removal cross-sections (Σ_R), for 0.0253 eV energy neutrons absorption cross-sections have been estimated. Deduced Σ_R was altered at 0.1105–0.1205 cm⁻¹ range with Bi₂O₃ inclusion in studied samples. 10Bi₂O₃-70B₂O₃-20Li₂O (mol%) glass has greater total cross-section (=23.251 cm⁻¹) for thermal neutrons absorption while 55Bi₂O₃-35B₂O₃-10Li₂O (mol%) sample exhibits quality shielding factors for photons and fast neutrons confirming the included Bi₂O₃ positive impact. Along with nuclear attenuation features various physical and mechanical aspects are also inspected. Derived V_m (molar volume), OPD (oxygen packing density), V_o (oxygen molar volume), V_t (packing density) and G_t (dissociation energy per unit volume) values indicated glasses rigidity. Following Makishima–Mackenzie's theoretical model primary mechanical features like Y, K, S and L (Young's, bulk, shear and longitudinal modulus) and σ (Poisson's ratio) are evaluated where 10Bi₂O₃-70B₂O₃-20Li₂O (mol%) glass shows better elastic moduli in all samples.