Gamma rays interactions with Eu₂O₃doped lead fluoroborate glasses

The research article concentrates on the effects of gamma rays [150�kGy] over lead fluoroborate glass systems doped with Europium (Eu₂O₃) ions synthesized through melt-quench technique. FTIR measurements confirmed the conversion of three-fold borate units (BO₃) to tetrahedral borate units (BO₄) before irradiation and a back conversion was studied post irradiation, with addition of Eu₂O₃ions; which was cross verified through N₄and N₃coordination numbers. Effects of gamma rays have been confirmed through ESR spectra where, resonance paramagnetic centers were perceived. Decrease in the intensities and red shift in the absorption peaks (UV-VIS-NIR absorption spectra) indicates the formation of the color centers in the glass matrices after high energetic gamma exposure. Stability of the samples were calculated using different characteristic temperatures (T_g, T_x,T_c,T_m) which was employed through DSC technique. Different elastic moduli (E, K, G, μ) of the samples were calculated and studied using standard Makishima-Mackenzie's model. Hardness (H) number of the samples have also been measured which showed decrease in the H values after irradiation with increase in Fragility (F) parameter. The unusual trend observed in the E_gvalues of the samples were validated through the Molar Volume (V_m), Oxide ion polarizability (α_e) and optical basicity (Λ) values. The samples could be recommended for solid state lighting devices because of its semiconducting nature energy band gap values (E_g: 2.34–2.83�eV). The competitive stability factors (Dietzel factor (ΔT)�∼�160–270��C; Hruby's number (H_r): 1.130–4.237), high densities (ρ: 3.8501–4.1944 g/cm³), hardness parameter (H: 3.32–4.46�GPa) and low poisson's ratio (μ: 0.241–0.257) with supportive α_evalues motivates the samples to be proposed as radiation shielders and in space applications.