Effects of Er3+ doping on the crystal morphology and gamma rays shielding properties of Bi2WO6

In this study, erbium (Er)-doped bismuth tungstate (Bi 2 WO 6 ) polycrystalline materials were synthesized using a hydrothermal method. The synthesized products were then systematically characterized through X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analyses. Moreover, the shielding performance of Er-doped Bi 2 WO 6 against gamma rays was investigated by analyzing its linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half-value layer (HVL), and tenth-value layer (TVL). The results indicated that Er 3+ ions were successfully incorporated into the crystal lattice of Bi 2 WO 6 without altering its crystal structure. Moreover, as the Er 3+ doping ratio increased, the morphology of Bi 2 WO 6 evolved from a lamellar stacking structure to a more densely clustered flower-like spherical structure. The shielding performance of Bi 2 WO 6 against 59.5-keV gamma rays was significantly enhanced by Er 3+ doping. When the Er 3+ concentration was 12.5 mol%, the LAC, MAC, HVL, and TVL values were 35.66 cm −1 , 12.6 cm 2 /g, 0.019 cm, and 0.065 cm, respectively. For the attenuation of high-energy gamma rays (661.6, 1173, and 1332 keV), an increase in the Er 3+ content resulted in a slow increase in the LAC, small decreases in the HVL and TVL, and almost no change in the MAC.