Various gamma-ray energies attenuation features of boro-lead-telluride glass-ceramic: An experimental study

The gamma-ray shielding performance of TeO₂-B₂O₃-ZnO-BaO-Bi₂O₃-PbO glass-ceramics was experimentally studied. The investigated samples were prepared using the melt-quenching method. The level of PbO varied between 12.5 and 20 mol%, creating compositions with different amounts of PbO to investigate the relationship of the content of PbO at 0.662, 1.173, and 1.332 MeV energy levels using a calibrated NaI(Tl) detector system to measure how much gamma rays were attenuated by these glass-ceramic materials. The results demonstrated that increasing amount of PbO will increase shielding. Also, Pb20 exhibited the greatest shielding performance with a linear attenuation coefficient (LAC) of 0.702 cm^-1 at 0.662 MeV and half value layer (HVL) of 0.987 cm at 0.662 MeV. Moreover, at 1.332 MeV Pb20 continues to provide good shielding, (LAC = 0.391 cm^-1). Additionally, the experimental LAC/ρ values had a good correlation to the results found in XCOM; thus, the reliability of the data is confirmed. Optimized PbO-rich glass-ceramic systems offer effective, transparent radiation shielding materials that are ideal for use in medical and nuclear settings due to their reduced tenth-value layer (TVL) and lead-equivalent thickness relative to previously characterized borate and tellurite glass systems.