Raman Spectroscopy, Physical Parameters and γ-Ray Shielding Competence of Newly Lu3+ Ions Doped Borosilicate Glasses

In the present study, a newly set of lutetium(III)-doped borosilicate glasses with the chemical formula (49-x)B2O3 + 13SiO2 + 18CaO + 20Li2O + XLu2O3: X takes values from 0 (Lu0.0) to 2 (Lu2.0) at intervals of 0.5 mol% has been prepared via the traditional quenching technique. The impact of the inclusion Lu3+ ions in the glasses network on the physical, and Raman spectroscopy has been investigated. XRD measurements confirmed the amorphous state of Lu-X glasses. The density (rho) of Lu-X glasses varied from 25.10 x 10-1 g/cm3 for Lu0.0 glass sample to 26.40 x 10-1 g/cm3 for Lu-2.0 glasses. The molar volume (Vm) of Lu-X glasses was increased from 23.10 to 24.37 cm3/mol as Lu2O3 content increased from 0 to 2 mol%. The oxygen packing density (OPD) values reduced from 91.33 to 86.59 g atm/l. The oxygen molar volume (VO) values enhanced from 10.95 to 11.55 cm3/mol. The average boron-boron separation < dB-B > slightly changed in the glass matrix. The inclusion of Lu3+ ions into the host matrix of the Lu-X glasses leads to convert certain BO3 groups into BO4 groups, hence enhancing the amount of non-bridging oxygen bonds (NBOs). This fact is confirmed by Raman spectroscopy. The linear-(mu) attenuation absorption follows the order: (mu)Lu0.0 < (mu)Lu0.5 < (mu)Lu1.0 < (mu)Lu1.5 < (mu)Lu2.0. Values of half-value layer (HVL) follow the trend: (HVL)Lu0.0 > (HVL)Lu0.5 > (HVL)Lu1.0 > (HVL)Lu1.5 > (HVL)Lu2.0. Lu2.0 glass is located in the mid-point or a suitable point among the commercial concrete materials as gamma-ray shields.