Structural, optical, and gamma-ray-sensing characterization of (35 − x) PbO–10 MgO–10Na2O–5 Fe2O3–10 BaO–(30 − x) B2O3 glasses

Amorphous PbO–MgO–Na2O–Fe2O3–BaO–B2O3 glass system has been prepared. FTIR spectra studied in the range of 400–1600 cm−1 which gives information regarding the different structural, vibration bonds. To study the various optical parameters, the UV absorption spectra are studied in the range 190–1100 nm. The photon attenuation characteristics for the current samples were studied using Geant4 simulation code. The transmission fraction (T) was calculated and the results showed that the addition of PbO decreases the values of T. For the samples which contain 55 mol% and 35 mol% of PbO, the T values are, respectively, 0.065 and 0.161 at 356 keV. High atomic number and high of lead result in lower half-value layer values for Pb55B10 glass compared to the Pb35B30 sample which has the lowest amount of Pb in its structure. At 356 keV, the tenth value layer values are 2.521 and 1.685 cm for the samples coded as Pb35B30 and Pb55B10, respectively. From the radiation-shielding parameter results, the use of high-density glasses against the penetrating gamma rays provides a better shielding performance using thinner glass layer.