Computational Assessment of PbO-Modulated Glass Systems for Advanced Tri-Modular Radiation Shielding

This study presents a comprehensive computational investigation of X-ray, γ-ray, and neutron shielding characteristics of six novel glass systems with the composition (75-x)B₂O₃ – 10TeO₂ – 13SrO – 2ZnO – (x)PbO (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 25, 40 mol%). Using the Phy-X/PSD software, key shielding parameters—including the mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half-value layer (HVL), tenth-value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP), effective atomic number (Zₑff), and effective electron density (Nₑff)—were determined across photon energies from 0.015 to 15 MeV. The results reveal that increasing PbO concentration significantly enhances photon attenuation, particularly within the photoelectric absorption region below 0.3 MeV. A pronounced peak near 0.1 MeV was observed in MAC, HVL, TVL, MFP, Zₑff, and Nₑff, corresponding to the K-absorption edge of lead (0.088 MeV). Among the investigated samples, the glass containing 40 mol% PbO (S6) exhibited the highest MAC and Zₑff, as well as the lowest HVL, TVL, and MFP, indicating superior radiation shielding efficiency. These findings confirm the potential of PbO-modified telluro-borate glasses as effective alternatives for transparent shielding applications in radiological and nuclear environments.