The effect of Nb₂O₅ on fast neutron removal cross section, optical, and structural properties of some calcium borate oxide glasses containing Bi³⁺ ions

BackgroundIn recent years, the preparation of transparent glass in the visible region has led to the development of radiation shielding materials with measuring structure and optical properties. Also, the study on the interaction of neutron radiation with matter is important in the field of radiation protection.
PurposePreparation of transparent calcium and bismuth borate oxide glasses containing Nb⁵⁺ ions can be used as a neutron radiation shield and determine refractive index with different methods for this glass.
MethodsNiobium bismuth borate glasses with composition 60B₂O₃–20CaO–(20 − x)Bi₂O₃–xNb₂O₅, where (x is in mol%, 0 ≤ x ≤ 10), have been prepared using conventional melt-quenching technique; the structure of each sample was studied by XRD, FTIR, and UV spectra chart analysis.
ResultsXRD and FTIR showed that all glass samples were highly homogeneous and had structured with short-range-order/amorphous solids. The refractive index of each sample was estimated by charts of UV–Vis and FTIR, in addition to an empirical method, and we obtained values very close to each other. The refractive index values are relatively high, so this glass can be used in nonlinear studies as well as luminescence characterization. The macroscopic fast neutron removal cross sections (ΣR/ρ) have calculated, for all samples, and the highest value was in sample containing 2.5% niobium pentoxide.
ConclusionBismuth borate glass containing a few niobium pentoxide can be used as a protective shield of neutrons.