Investigation of gamma and neutron shielding parameters for borosilicate glasses doped europium oxide for the immobilization of radioactive waste

Eu3+-doped borosilicate glasses were prepared by the melt-quenching method. Optical, physical and nuclear shielding properties of these glasses were studied. The FTIR measurements indicated that the continuous increase of europium concentration helped conversion of [BO4] to [BO3] groups. FTIR spectroscopy results were in good agreement with optical band energy gap, density and molar volume values revealing network modifications caused by europium ions in the glass structure. The amorphous natures of the samples were ascertained by XRD studies. Optical properties of the glass samples are studied before and after neutron at room temperature. The absorption spectra of all glasses indicated that there is a decrease in the optical band gap values due to the enhancement of the number of non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms with the addition of Eu2O3. Nuclear shielding properties of these have been investigated. The mass attenuation coefcients have been calculated using the XCOM program.