The Effect of Barium on the Nuclear Radiation Shielding Capabilities of Nickel-Reinforced Borosilicate Glasses

This study is carried out to predestine barium directly affects the shielding properties of the array of nickel-strengthened borosilicate glass composite. Accordingly, 20 Na2CO3–15 SiO2 - 5NiO - (60-x) H3BO3 - x BaCO3 glass system where (x = 0, 5,10, 20, 30) has been prepared by using the melt cooling method. The physical and gamma attenuation properties are studied both in practice and theoretically using Phy-X online software. The recorded patterns of XRD for the prepared samples confirmed its amorphous nature. The molar volume and mass density of the prepared glass is linearly increased with BaCO3 concentration. The coefficient of mass attenuation (μm) is directly proportional to BaCO3 concentration at all photon energies. Shielding parameters such as half-value layer (HVL), exposure build-up factor (EBF) up to 40 mfp penetration depth, effective atomic number (Zeff), at the energy range of 0.015–15 MeV, and the corresponding equivalent atomic number (Zeq) were investigated. Fast neutron removal cross-section of the low concentration of BaCO3 have a higher fast neutron removal cross-section than those doped previously prepared with a higher PbO mol%. The obtained results nominate the prepared glass composite for several shielding applications preferring the lead-free composites.