Optimizing gamma radiation shielding of low bismuth borate glass via antimony addition: optical and physical insights

This study reports the fabrication and characterization of novel bismuth borate-based glass systems doped with varying concentrations of antimony oxide (Sb₂O₃) for gamma radiation shielding applications. Using the melt-quenching method, the glass systems [0] with x = 0, 1, 3, and 5 mol% were prepared. Density measurements, X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and UV–Vis–NIR spectroscopy were employed to analyze the structural, physical, and optical properties systematically. The results show that increasing Sb₂O₃ content raises the glass density, refractive index, and oxygen packing density, while reducing the molar volume and optical band gap. These changes contribute to forming a more compact glass network. Using Phy-X/PSD software, the radiation shielding coefficients, such as the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), effective atomic number (Zeff), and half-value layer (HVL), were determined. The sample with 5 mol% Sb₂O₃ demonstrated the best gamma-ray shielding performance, especially at low photon energies, owing to the high atomic number and density of Sb. The findings suggest that Sb₂O₃ functions as an effective dopant to improve the optical nonlinearity and radiation protection capacity of borate-based glasses, making them promising candidates for transparent shielding in medical, nuclear, and industrial environments.