Structural characterization and gamma-ray attenuation properties of rice-like α-TeO2 crystalline microstructures (CMS) grown rapidly on free surface of tellurite-based glasses

In this study, we extensively analyzed the structural, physical and gamma-ray attenuation properties of α-TeO2 CMS, which has unexpectedly been observed as a part of Sm2O3 doped TeO2–B2O3–V2O5 glasses synthesis process. The shape of α-TeO2 CMS was obtained from SEM analyses. Moreover, EDX, XRD and Raman examinations were utilized for systematic characterization of α-TeO2 CMS. In addition to experimental physical and structural studies on α-TeO2 CMSs, gamma-ray attenuation properties were also determined and compared with Quartz and some novel glasses such as PNCKM5, C25, SCNZ7 along with some commercial glasses such as RS253, RS253G18, RS323G19, RS360, RS520 using FLUKA general-purpose Monte Carlo code. EDX results indicated that only Te and O elements were available in the α-TeO2 CMS. The finding showed that gamma-ray attenuation competencies of α-TeO2 CMS is higher than many novel and commercial glasses in addition to traditional concrete shields. It can be concluded that further comparison studies can be done between normal glass structure and α-TeO2 CMS (or similar) occurred glass structures in terms of better understanding the total gamma-ray attenuation and the effect of α-TeO2 CMS.