Efficiency of K2WO4 containing a newly synthesized phosphate based glasses: Physical, thermal properties, FTIR spectroscopy and γ-ray shielding parameters.

New K 2 WO 4 -containing potassium-iron-phosphate glasses were synthesized and examined. Specifically, we studied a glass composition consisting of 20K 2 O-(20-Y) Fe 2 O 3 -YK 2 WO 4 –60P 2 O 5 (where Y = 0.0, 5.0, 10.0, 15.0 and 20.0 mol%). Various characterizations such as X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FTIR), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), density, and radiation-calculated shielding parameters were investigated. The XRD analyses confirmed the glassy nature of the synthesized material. The K 2 WO 4 /Fe 2 O 3 replacement led to an increase in the density of glass and aided in the formation of non-bridging oxygen atoms. Q1 groups are the predominant structural elements within the phosphate network and decrease the rigidity and compactness of glass structures. Investigation of the thermal parameters revealed that an increase in K 2 WO 4 content led to a decrease in the transition and crystallization temperatures, accompanied by a decrease in the glass's stability. Whereas, the values of the phosphate/oxygen (O/P) molar ratio and the change in heat capacity (ΔCp) were increased. The capacity of using the prepared W0–W20 glasses as γ-ray shields has been evaluated using Phy-X/PSD software in the photon energy range of 0.015–15 MeV. Results showed that the mass-(MAC) and linear-(LAC) absorption coefficients of samples possessed the following trends: W0 (MAC, LAC) < W5 (MAC, LAC) < W10 (MAC, LAC) < W15 (MAC, LAC) < W20 (MAC, LAC). The lowest half-value layer (HVL) values were verified by the W20 sample. Therefore, the suggested compositions can be used as superior γ-ray shields compared to some concrete materials. • New K 2 O–Fe 2 O 3 –K 2 WO 4 –P 2 O 5 glasses were successfully prepared. • FTIR spectroscopy of the prepared glasses was performed. • Tg varied from 420 °C to 320 °C and Tc from 563 °C to 403 °C. • Sample W20 possessed the highest MAC and lowest HVL. • Suggested glass can be applied in medical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]