FTIR, UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy, and gamma rays shielding competence of novel ZnO-doped vanadium borophosphate glasses

• Published in: Journal of materials science. Materials in electronics Vol. 31; no. 12; pp. 9099 - 9113
• Main Authors: Rammah, Y. S., El-Agawany, F. I., Mahmoud, K. A., El-Mallawany, R., Ilik, Erkan, Kilic, Gokhan
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.06.2020; Springer Nature B.V
• Subjects: Atomic properties; Attenuation coefficients; Boron oxides; Characterization and Evaluation of Materials; Chemistry and Materials Science; Fourier transforms; Gamma rays; Infrared spectroscopy; Materials Science; Optical and Electronic Materials; Optical properties; Radiation shielding; Refractivity; Room temperature; Spectrum analysis; Zinc oxide
• ISSN: 0957-4522; 1573-482X
• DOI: 10.1007/s10854-020-03440-5

Structural, optical, and gamma radiation safety properties of 46V 2 O 5 ·46P 2 O 5 ·(8– x )B 2 O 3 · x ZnO ( x  = 0,2,4,6, and 8 mol%) abbreviated as VPB/Zn glasses were investigated. The structure of the synthesized glasses has been examined via FTIR spectra within the range of 400–1500 cm −1 at room temperature. UV–Vis–NIR measurements of the proposed glasses were performed within the range of 200–3300 nm. The optical characteristics such as optical energy bandgap ( E Optical ), refractive index ( n Linear ), and Urbach’s energy ( E U ) have been determined. In addition, the mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) for VPB/Zn glasses were performed utilizing MCNP-5 simulation code and XCOM program for various gamma ray energy varied in range 0.015–15 MeV. Based on MAC values, the equivalent atomic number ( Z eq ) and buildup factors (EABF and EBF) were evaluated. Results reveal that the direct E Optical Tauc ′ s of the VPB/Zn glasses ranged from 0.688 to 0.710 eV, while from 0.560 to 0.647 eV for the indirect transition. The admission of the ZnO improves the MAC of the VPB/Zn glasses. Thus, one can conclude that the proposed glasses can be applied for optical devices as semiconductor glasses and considered as good materials for γ-rays shielding.