Radiation effects of B depletion and the generation of point defects in ternary borosilicate glasses by gamma rays

• Published in: Journal of non-crystalline solids Vol. 619; p. 122576
• Main Authors: Zhu, S.K., Sun, Y.Q., Pan, Y.H., Chen, X., Bai, K., Wang, Y.C., Yang, F., Qin, K.M., Mao, J.J., Zhang, X.Y., Wang, T.S., Peng, H.B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Borosilicate glass; Gamma radiation; Noise; Structural change; Urbach energy; Gamma radiation; Urbach energy; Noise; Borosilicate glass; Structural change
• ISSN: 0022-3093; 1873-4812
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2023.122576

•The relationship between Urbach energy, the noise of the Raman spectrum (a new method), and the non-bridging oxygen hole center has been found.•The depletion of boron and sodium in the surface of borosilicate glass after gamma radiation is confirmed.•Systematically discussed the effects in the glass network after gamma radiation. Borosilicate glass is one of the base materials which can solidify high-level radioactive waste. Therefore, its resistance to radiation attracted extensive attention. The borosilicate glass samples with different compositions were irradiated with gamma rays at ambient temperature. The interaction between the gamma rays and the glass network was discussed. The radiation effects were analyzed with nano-indentation, photoluminescence, Raman, Infrared, Ultraviolet and visible absorption, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopies. The results indicate point defects such as non-bridging oxygen hole center (NBOHC) and peroxy radical were produced in glasses after irradiation. The depletions of sodium and boron in the surface of glasses were identified, which led to a decrease in hardness. The Urbach energies increased with the absorbed dose. A new analyzing method, the noise of Raman spectrum, was deduced to analyze the glass disorder. The noise and Urbach energy depended on the concentration of NBOHC, which is led by gamma radiation.