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This paper evaluates the γ-radiation shielding traits of some new types of borate glasses of composition (70–x)B 2 O 3 –10Bi 2 O 3 –10BaO–10CdO–xPbO (where 0 ≤ x ≤ 20 mol%) prepared using melt quenching method. As-quenched samples were characterized to determine the effects of various PbO contents on their γ-radiation shielding properties. XRD patterns of the samples verified their amorphous nature. The Phy-X and XCOM was used to compute the mass attenuation coefficients of the glasses and then compared with the experimental data. The γ-radiation shielding performance of the proposed glasses were evaluated in terms of diverse attenuation parameters like mean free path, half and tenth value layer, atomic cross-section, electronic cross-section, effective atomic number and effective electron density. The γ-radiation shielding performance of the glasses were significantly improved with the increase of PbO contents. This new borate glass system is established to be advantageous for the radiation shielding applications. • The borate glass samples with different PbO content were prepared by the standard melt-quenching method. • The μ/ρ values of the glasses were increased with the increase of the PbO content. • The relatively higher Zeff at lower energies due to the dominance of PE effect. • Promising HVT and TVL achieved with the new prepared glasses. • The proposed glass improves the efficiency of IR shielding material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present paper, glass sample with the chemical composition xNb 2 O 5 +0.20Bi 2 O 3 +0.20CdO+0.10ZnO+ (0.50-x)B 2 O 3 (where x = 0.05, 0.10, 0.15, 0.20, 0.25 mol fraction) were prepared by melt quenching-annealing technique. The density, molar volume, oxygen molar volume (OMV) of the glass samples are found to increase increases from 5.35 to 5.65 gcm−3, 32.69–37.32 cm3/mole, 14.323–14336 cm3/mole, respectively, with the increase in molar concentration of Niobium pentoxide. The value of Poisson's ratio shows a very small variation in the range of 0.240–0.247 for the present glass matrix, however these results confirms that the prepared glass samples have high cross link density. The linear attenuation coefficients were measured experimentally by employing narrow beam transmission geometry (total scatter acceptance angle = 2.22°) with NaI(Tl) spectroscopy in the gamma photon energy range of 59.54–1332 keV. These values of linear attenuation coefficient were then further used to calculate other attenuation parameters namely Half Value Layer (HVL), Radiation Protection Efficiency (RPE), Mass Attenuation Coefficient (MAC), effective atomic number (Z eff), electron density (N e) and Buildup Factor (BF). Measured values of attenuation parameters have also been compared the values obtained theoretically using online software Phy-X/PSD and Py-MLBUF as well as with values obtained through FLUKA (Monte-Carlo) simulations code. Excellent agreements have been observed between experimental, theoretical and simulation results for the prepared glass samples. In addition to this, fast neutron removal cross sections (∑ R cm−1) were calculated for the glass matrix under investigations. On the basis of the obtained results, it has been reported that the prepared glass samples possess superior shielding efficiency against gamma rays and fast neutrons as compared to conventional shielding materials. • Niobium–Bismuth–Cadmium–Zinc-Borate glass samples were prepared by Melt quenching-annealing technique. • Narrow beam transmission geometry has been used to measure the attenuation coefficients. • Phy-X/PSD, Py-MLBUF and FLUKA code has been used to calculate the theoretical values of attenuation parameters. • Physical and structural properties of the prepared glass samples were also calculated. • Radiation shielding effectiveness has been compared with standard shielding materials in terms of HVL values. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]