Physical, neutron, and gamma-rays shielding parameters for Na2O–SiO2–PbO glasses

Abstract

The present study investigated the physical and neutron- and gamma-ray-shielding features of a sodium oxide (Na2O)-doped lead (Pb)–silicate glass system. The chemical composition of the glass system is described by the formula xNa2O–50SiO2·(50 − x)PbO, where x = 0, 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50 mol%. Moreover, the shielding features were investigated by utilizing the Geant4 simulation code and the Xcom program. The density of the glasses (ρ glass) was enhanced from 2.460 to 6.995 g/cm3. The mass attenuation coefficient (MAC, μ/ρ) was calculated. The MACs were arranged in the order of (NSP50)MAC > (NSP40)MAC > (NSP30)MAC > (NSP20)MAC > (NSP10)MAC > (NSP0)MAC. The half-value layer varied from 14.23 to 2.55 cm for NSP0 to NSP50, respectively, at 0.015 MeV. The mean free path (MFP) values ensured the shielding capacity for NSP-glasses, as it was found to possess the shortest MFP, and its value at 0.015 MeV changed from 20.53 to 3.68 cm for NSP0 and NSP50, respectively. The NSP50 glass sample has the highest Z eff, which increased from 32.70 to 76.93. The calculated exposure buildup factor values were greater than those of the energy absorption buildup factor at fixed energy and penetration depth for all studied glasses. The fast neutron removal cross-section ∑R (cm−1) increased gradually with the increase in lead (II) oxide content. Finally, one can conclude that the investigated NSP0–NSP50 glasses are superior materials for neutron and γ-ray shielding.