Influence of Eu3+ ions on physical, mechanical and radiation shielding properties of B2O3–CaO–Bi2O3 glasses: Experimental and simulation investigation.

High density glass samples of chemical composition 70B2O3–20CaO–(10 − x)Bi2O3–xEu2O3: 0 (BCBEu0.0) ≤ x ≤ 1 (BCBEu1.0) mol% were synthesized by melt-quenched route. The amorphous structure of glass blocks is established by the X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum. The physical, mechanical properties as well as gamma-ray shielding characteristics of the synthesized glass blocks were investigated. Density of samples showed an increment from 5.0373 to 5.0736 gcm−3. The molar volume decreased from 25.012 cm3/mol for BCBEu0.0 (Eu = 0.0) to 24.605cm3/mol for BCBEu1.0 (Eu = 1.0). Elastic moduli and Poisson's ratio have been estimated according to Makishima and Mackenzie via the system values of dissociation free energies and packing densities. The oxygen molar volume decreased from 9.62 to 9.46346 cm3/mol, whereas Poisson's glasses ratio varies between 0.250 and 0.257 as the [Eu2O3] mol% is improved from 0 to 1.0 mol%. Young's modulus has a value of 63.202 GPa and increased to 65.002 GPa at lower and higher [Er2O3] mol%, respectively. Shielding properties of investigated glasses have been estimated utilizing XCOM, and Phys-X/PSD program. Mass and linear attenuation coefficient were found to increase as the mol% of Eu2O3 increased. The sample coded as BCBEu1.0 with high density possessed lowest values of half-value layer. The glass BCBEu1.0 pointed out to be a superior when used as radiation protection agent. The suggested glass sample loaded with high concentration of europium has a strong ability to guard against radiation as compared to glasses without and low concentration of europium and it can be used in the field of medicine, according to the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]