Influence of Fe2O3 on synthesis, structure, hardness, and radiation shielding properties of Apatite–Wollastonite (AW) glass ceramics for bone implantation and shielding applications.

This paper explores the important impact of Fe 2 O 3 on the synthesis, structure, hardness, and radiation shielding characteristics of Apatite–Wollastonite (AW) glass ceramics for bone implantation and shielding application. The prepared studied samples were prepared and the effects of Fe 2 O 3 addition on the synthesis process, density, and different physical and structural parameters comprehensively investigated. Additionally, the radiation shielding properties were determined by using PHITS simulation code and XCOM calculations for all samples. The results reveal that there is a significant impact of Fe 2 O 3 addition on density, hardness, and radiation shielding of AW glass ceramics. The Vickers hardness values were calculated as 547, 598, and 621 Hv in measurements under 0.1 kg load., the density values are found to be as 2.87, 3.07 and 3.28 g/cm3 for AW, Aw -1Fe, and Aw -2Fe, respectively. The highest linear attenuation coefficient in the AW- 2Fe is 0.096 cm−1, Aw -1Fe showed 0.084 cm−1 and AW gave 0.072 cm−1 at 6 MeV. This study underscores the pivotal role of Fe 2 O 3 as a multifaceted modifier in tailoring the properties of AW glass ceramics for bone implantation and other diverse applications extending from medical imaging to radiation and charged ions shielding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]