New gadolinium based glasses for gamma-rays shielding materials

Abstract In this work, Gd 2 O 3 based glasses in compositions (80− x )B 2 O 3 -10SiO 2 -10CaO- x Gd 2 O 3 (where x  = 15, 20, 25, 30 and 35 mol%) have been fabricated and investigated for their radiation shielding, physical and optical properties. The density of the glass was found to increase with the increasing of Gd 2 O 3 concentration. The experimental values of mass attenuation coefficients ( μ m ), effective atomic number ( Z eff ) and effective electron densities ( N e ) of the glasses were found to increase with the increasing of Gd 2 O 3 concentration and also with the decreasing of photon energy from 223 to 662 keV. The glasses of all Gd 2 O 3 compositions studied have been shown with lower HVL values in comparison to an X-rays shielding window, ordinary concrete and commercial window; indicating their potential as radiation shielding materials with Pb-free advantage. Optical spectra of the glasses in the present study had been shown with light transparency; an advantage when used as radiation shielding materials.