Abstract
We prepared transparent xBaO center dot(30-x)Li2O center dot 70B(2)O(3) glasses and investigated their physical properties using UV/vis and radiation shielding. Density and molar volume of the examined glasses increase as BaO content increases. The energy gap and linear refractive index seem to remain stable as BaO concentration increases. These trends are due to the lack in forming NBOs. In these glasses, there is an insulating behavior and the molar refraction increases with increasing BaO content. The single bond strength is almost constant with increasing BaO content which reveals a constancy in polarizability, consequently a constancy in energy gap and refractive index. Numerous criteria were tested to ascertain the glasses' suitability as radiation shields. The MCNPX code and Phy-X PSD software were used to investigate the gamma shielding potential in the 0.015-15 MeV energy photon range. Glass's gamma-protective ability increases as the BaO material increases. The BLB30 sample, which contains 30% mol percent BaO, demonstrated the best gamma-ray shielding efficiency. Additionally, the examined glass specimens can be considered a non-toxic alternative for shielding against gamma radiation and neutrons in a variety of nuclear applications.