Impact of Co-doping Eu³⁺ and Gd³⁺ in HMO-Based Glasses for Structural and Optical Properties and Radiation Shielding Enhancement

Eu-Gd co-doped glasses composed of 15B₂O₃–12SiO₂–(40-x)TeO₂–3Eu₂O₃–xGd₂O₃–12Bi₂O₃–8BaO–10ZnO with x = 0–4 mol% (coded as EuGd-x) were fabricated using melt quench approach to develop transparent radiation shielding system. Their structural, optical and mechanical properties were examined. 5.3663, 5.4264, 5.7405, 5.4683 and 5.6756 g/cm³ were the densities of EuGd-0, EuGd-1, EuGd-2, EuGd-3 and EuGd-4, respectively. Gamma shielding ability of EuGd system was simulated using the Photon Shielding and Dosimetry software in energy spectrum 0.015–15 MeV. On co-doping Gd³⁺ with Eu³⁺, clear advancement in gamma and neutron shielding ability was perceived; EuGd-2 dominates because of the highest density. At 0.662 MeV, the uppermost and lowermost (0.501 and 0.468 cm⁻¹) linear attenuation coefficients (LAC) were demonstrated by EuGd-2 and EuGd-0, respectively. EuGd-2 distinguished itself with least half value layer (HVL) = 1.383 cm at 0.662 MeV, compared to EuGd-0 (1.483 cm). Photon build-up inside the glasses declined with Gd concentration at low gamma energies (< 2 MeV). EuGd-2 also showcased maximum fast neutron removal (FNR) cross-sectional value (0.10935 cm⁻¹). Comparison between singly doped Eu₂O₃, Gd₂O₃ glasses and the current co-doped glasses established that EuGd-2 is the superior gamma shield in terms of LAC, HVL and effective atomic number.