Radiation shielding efficacy of zinc-lithium-borate glasses: Theoretical study

• Published in: Journal of radiation research and applied sciences Vol. 17; no. 1; p. 100837
• Main Authors: Alomayrah, Norah, Alrowaili, Z.A., Eke, Canel, Olarinoye, I.O., Al-Buriahi, M.S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.03.2024
• Subjects: Borate glasses; Gamma-radiation; Glass shields; Phantom; Radiation protection; Borate glasses; Phantom; Glass shields; Gamma-radiation; Radiation protection
• ISSN: 1687-8507; 1687-8507
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jrras.2024.100837

This research investigates the photon interaction quantities of xLi2O+ (80-x)B2O3+ ZnO with the aim of ascertaining their shielding efficacy and tissue equivalence. The chemical descriptions of the glasses in terms of molar concentrations of oxides (and their codes) adopted for this study are: 10Li2O+70B2O3+ 20ZnO (ZnLiB1), 20Li2O+60B2O3+ 20ZnO (ZnLiB2), 30Li2O+50B2O3+ 20ZnO (ZnLiB3), and 40Li2O+40B2O3+ 20ZnO (ZnLiB4). The mass attenuation coefficients of the investigated borate glasses were computed with the aid of the well-known and reliable WinXCom software. In addition, the mass energy absorption coefficient (μenρ) using the NIST-XCOM database. Other photon interaction parameters such as the gamma dose constant, electron density, effective atomic number, dose rate, and buildup factors. The obtained mass attenuation coefficient (in unit of cm2/g) ranged between 0.0205 and 16.7596 for ZnLiB1, 0.0206 and 17.6965 for ZnLiB2, 0.0208 and 18.7573 for ZnLiB3 and 0.0209 and 19.9686 for ZnLiB4. Also, μen/ρ (in unit of cm2/g) values were in the range 0.0151–12.6631 for ZnLiB1, 0.0151–13.3635 for ZnLiB2, 0.0152–14.1567 for ZnLiB3 and 0.0153–15.0623 for ZnLiB4 The analysis of the evaluated parameters showed that the increase in Li2O content at the expense of B2O3 improved the photon absorption capacity of the glasses for some energies. Also, the photon buildup factors showed that they both vary with an increase in Li2O content. The glasses showed good photon-absorbing features and could be used for radiation protection functions.