Physical, thermal, optical, structural and nuclear radiation shielding properties of Sm2O3 reinforced borotellurite glasses

Abstract To observe direct effect of samarium (III) oxide reinforcement on physical, thermal, optical, structural and nuclear radiation attenuation properties, a broad-range experimental and numerical investigations were performed with a group of novel borotellurite glasses. FTIR spectra of powdered samples were taken at 250-4000 cm-1. The transmittance and absorption characteristics, optical band gaps, and Urbach energies were measured. The glass transition temperatures, crystallization temperatures and melting temperature values of the samples were determined. Nuclear radiation shielding properties have been determined for gamma-ray, neutrons and heavy charged particles. The lowest transmittance and highest absorbance were reported for the TBVS1.5 sample with highest Sm2O3 additive. In addition, obtained results from the nuclear radiation shielding calculations have showed that TBVS1.5 sample has superior nuclear radiation shielding properties against gamma-ray, neutron and heavy charged particles. The increasing Sm2O3 additive has visibly improved the nuclear radiation attenuation properties by keeping other material properties within usable limits.