Synthesis, physical, optical, mechanical, and radiation attenuation properties of TiO2–Na2O–Bi2O3–B2O3 glasses

A series of bismo-borate (50-x)B2O3-xTiO2-15Na2O–30Bi2O3 glass samples (where x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5, and 10 wt%) doped with TiO2 were fabricated via the melt-quenching technique. The gamma and neutron shielding, physical, optical, and mechanical properties of the prepared samples were investigated. The experimental results were measured using an HPGe detector. 152Eu, 133Ba, 137Cs, and 60Co radioactive sources were used with energies in the range of 81–1408 keV. The experimental results were compared with both the FLUKA code and the XCOM database. The addition of TiO2 increased the density of the glass samples and decreased their molar volume. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC) decreased as photon energy decreased, while it increased as TiO2 concentration increased. The half value layer (HVL) and mean free path (MFP) of the glass samples increased when the photon energy increased and decreased as the TiO2 concentration increased. The absorbance of the present samples is enhanced by using TiO2, meaning they can be used to protect humans from UV light. Both direct and indirect band gaps decreased as TiO2 content increased from 0 to 10 wt %. Moreover, the electronic transition between localized states is valid in the present samples. The radiation shielding, optical, physical, and mechanical properties of the fabricated glass samples demonstrate their utility for diagnostic gamma shielding. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd and Techna Group S.r.l.