Photon shielding properties of oxyfluoride aluminophosphate glass added with Sb2O3 by using PHITS Monte Carlo simulation and experimental methods

The glass formula (65-x)P2O5-5CaF2-10NaF-10KF-10AlF3-xSb2O3 (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 mol%) were produced by melt quenching technique for photon shielding application. The present glasses were investigated for the physical, structural, optical, gamma ray and x-ray shielding properties. The results revealed that the density increased when concentrations of Sb2O3 increased, the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and the X-ray diffraction (XRD) results illustrated the functional groups of vibrations, and confirmed the amorphous behavior, respectively. The transmission spectra of present glasses showed higher transparency than x-ray windows. The comparative studies of gamma-ray between experiment and theoretical, the mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), effective atomic number (Zeff), and effective electron density (Neff) were increased with increasing concentration of Sb2O3. On the other hand, the half value layer (HVL) was decreased. The energy absorption buildup factor (EABF) and exposure buildup factor (EBF) of dopant Sb2O3 in present glass were calculated and discussed in terms of energy and concentration of Sb2O3. As a result of using the X-ray source, the HVL was decreased with a rise in Sb2O3 contents. HVL value at 15 mol% of Sb2O3 concentration is higher than the standard materials at 120 kVp. The Sb2O3 glass systems can be a candidate for radiation shielding material.