Structural, optical, mechanical, and gamma-ray shielding properties of Er2O3-doped germano-tellurite-borate glasses

Abstract

This study reports the fabrication of a new germano-tellurite-borate glass series for optical and gamma-ray shielding applications. The chemical formula 20TeO₂ + 10GeO₂ + (35 − y)B₂O₃ + 35MgO + yEr₂O₃ describes the fabricated germano-tellurite-borate glass series, where y takes values of 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5 mol%. An X-ray diffractometer (XRD) was used to confirm the amorphous phase of the fabricated glasses. Furthermore, the impact of partial replacement of Er₂O₃ for B₂O₃ on the optical properties of the examined glasses was evaluated based on the UV-Vis absorption spectra, which were detected using a spectrophotometer at wavenumbers ranging from 200 to 1200 nm. The refractive index of the examined glasses increased from 2.620 to 2.270 when the Er₂O₃ increased from 1.25 to 5 mol%, respectively. Also, the impact of partial replacement of Er₂O₃ for B₂O₃ on the mechanical properties of the investigated glasses was evaluated based on Makishima and Mackenzie's theory. An increase in the Er₂O₃ content from 1.25 to 5 mol% enhances the hardness of the investigated glasses from 5.217 to 5.263 GPa, respectively. Additionally, the γ-ray protecting parameters were estimated using Monte Carlo simulation over a broad 0.0332–2.506 MeV energy interval. According to the acquired findings, the prepared samples' linear attenuation coefficient enhances by 54.94%, 11.09%, and 6.94%, respectively, at the 0.059, 0.511, and 2.506 MeV γ-ray energies as the Er₂O₃ increases over a concentration of 1.25–5 mol%.