The optimization of the mechanical, optical, structural, and shielding features of the heavy borosilicate glass system: Role of adding Nd₂O₃

This work optimized the mechanical, structural, optical and radiation shielding features of a heavy borosilicate glass system by doping with varying concentrations of Nd₂O₃. The glass network was characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, which confirmed the integration of B₂O₃ and SiO₂ functional groups. The addition of Nd₂O₃ significantly improved the mechanical properties as assessed by the Makishima-Mackenzie model; the packing density and Young's modulus rose from 0.560 to 0.615 and 69.611–77.346 GPa, respectively. Additionally, radiation shielding capabilities were enhanced across the energy range of 0.03082–0.3839 MeV, as simulated by the Phy-X software. The linear attenuation coefficient at 0.3839 MeV increased from 0.968 to 1.025 cm⁻¹, and the fast neutron removal cross section improved from 0.103 to 0.113 cm⁻¹. These findings unequivocally show that using Nd₂O₃ instead of Bi₂O₃ is a very successful method for creating better multipurpose radiation shielding glasses.