Effect of glass composition on physical, mechanical and radiation shielding performance of Barium Bismuth Boro-tellurite glasses

This study explores the role of compositional variation on the structural, mechanical, and radiation attenuation characteristics of Bismuth Barium Boro-tellurite (BBBT) glasses. Samples were synthesized via the melt-quench technique and compositional variations were correlated with physical and mechanical parameters. Elastic moduli were estimated using the Makishima-Mackenzie model, while photon shielding factors such as mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), half value layer (HVL), mean free path (MFP), and tenth value layer (TVL) were computed over 0.015–15 MeV using Phy-X/PSD. Increasing bismuth oxide (Bi₂O₃) content enhanced gamma attenuation through density augmentation but reduced optical transparency. To address this, cerium oxide (CeO₂) was incorporated as a rare earth modifier, restoring transparency without compromising shielding performance. Further, theoretical neutron shielding estimation studies have been carried out using Monte-Carlo based simulation tool MCNP, which provided insight towards the behaviour of shielding with the glass density as well as composition which includes high neutron capture elements. The results demonstrate that compositional tailoring of BBBT glasses enables dual optimization of transparency and radiation protection, offering Pb-free materials for advanced medical shielding.