Multiple assessments on the gamma-ray protection properties of niobium-doped borotellurite glasses: A wide range investigation using Monte Carlo simulations

Abstract

In this study, the monotonic effect of Ta2O5 and ZrO2 in some selected borotellurite glasses was investigated in terms of their impact on gamma-ray-shielding competencies. Accordingly, three niobium-reinforced borotellurite glasses (S1 : 75TeO(2) + 15B(2)O(3) + 10Nb(2)O(5), S2 : 75TeO(2) + 15B(2)O(3) + 9Nb(2)O(5) + 1Ta(2)O(5), and S3 : 75TeO(2) + 15B(2)O(3) + 8Nb(2)O(5) + 1Ta(2)O(5) + 1ZrO(2)) were modelled in the general-purpose MCNPX Monte Carlo code. They have been defined as an attenuator sample between the point isotropic gamma-ray source and the detector in terms of determining their attenuation coefficients. To verify the MC results, attenuation coefficients were then compared with the Phy-X/PSD program data. Our findings clearly demonstrate that although some behavioral changes occurred in the shielding qualities, modest improvements occurred in the attenuation properties depending on the modifier variation and its magnitude. However, the replacement of 2% moles of Nb2O5 with 1% mole of Ta2O5 and 1% mole of ZrO2 provided significant improvements in both glass density and attenuation properties against gamma rays. Finally, the HVL values of the S3 sample were compared with some glass- and concrete-shielding materials and the S3 sample was reported for its outstanding properties. As a consequence of this investigation, it can be concluded that the indicated type of additive to be added to borotellurite glasses will provide some advantages, particularly when used in radiation fields, by increasing the shielding qualities moderately.