Exploring the diverse modifiers influence on the structural, physical, and mechanical properties of a zinc oxide-based boro-tellurite glass system for enhancing radiation shielding performance

This work is meant to fabricate zinc boro-tellurite (ZnO–TeO₂–B₂O₃) glass systems with various modifiers, including MoO₃, Bi₂O₃, and PbO, using the melt quench technique. Four glass samples were produced, each comprising 20 % of a specific modifier from the total weight percent of the neat glass system. Each glass sample is given a code: TBZn, TBZMo, TBZBi, and TBZPb. The XRD results showed an amorphous nature for all glass samples. The FTIR results showed the functional groups for borate and tellurite oxide. The mechanical properties were reduced when different oxides were added instead of ZnO. For example, Young's modulus decreased for glass samples; their recorded values for Young's modulus are 74.516, 72.569, 60.526, and 59.272 GPa for TBZn, TBZMo, TBZBi, and TBZPb, respectively. On the other hand, adding Bi₂O₃ and PbO led to enhanced shielding properties. For instance, the linear attenuation coefficient values for TBZn, TBZMo, TBZBi, and TBZPb at 0.015 MeV are 168.739, 115.656, 380.711, and 279.162, respectively. Also, the radiation protection efficiency (RPE) at 5 cm and 600 keV is 83.220 %, 79.299 %, 93.919 %, and 90.222 % for TBZn, TBZMo, TBZBi, and TBZPb, respectively. While adding different oxides decreased stability in the current glasses, it also enhanced their shielding properties, recommending their use in the radiation shielding field.