Fabrication of Fe-bismuth Borate Glasses and their Efficient Radiation Shielding Performance Using XCOM, MCNP5, and Phy-X/PSD Program
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17721/fujcV14I1P39-55Keywords:
Bismuth borate glass, HPGe detector, Gamma-ray attenuation, MAC, ESRAbstract
Fe-doped bismuth borate glass systems containing 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mol% Fe₂O₃ were synthesized via the melt–quench technique, with measured densities increasing from 2.889 to 2.952 g/cm³ as Fe₂O₃ content increased. The gamma-ray attenuation performance of the prepared glasses was experimentally evaluated using a high-purity germanium (HPGe) detector at photon energies of 0.662, 1.173, and 1.333 MeV, and theoretically assessed over a wide energy range (0.015–15 MeV) using XCOM, MCNP5, and Phy-X/PSD programs. The experimental mass attenuation coefficients (MAC) showed excellent agreement with theoretical predictions, with deviations within acceptable statistical limits. The results reveal strong energy dependence of attenuation parameters, with high MAC and Linear Attenuation Coefficient (LAC) values at low photon energies dominated by photoelectric absorption, followed by gradual reduction in the Compton scattering region and near-constant behavior at high energies where pair production prevails. Fe₂O₃ doping slightly modifies low-energy attenuation behavior and effective atomic number without compromising shielding efficiency at medium and high energies. Half Value Layer (HVL) and Mean Free Path (MFP) analyses further confirm the superior attenuation capability of the investigated glasses, particularly at low energies. Electron spin resonance (ESR) analysis revealed no detectable changes in g-value, linewidth, or signal intensity after gamma irradiation up to 60 kGy, indicating high structural stability and strong resistance to radiation-induced defects. These findings demonstrate that Fe-doped bismuth borate glasses are structurally stable, lead-free, and compositionally tunable materials with a potential for radiation-shielding applications in nuclear, medical, and industrial environments.
References
Aydin H, Süsoy Doğan G, Tekin H, Şen Baykal D, İltuş Y. Examining the Neutron and Gamma Attenuation Characteristics of Various Amorphous Structures with Bioactive Properties. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering 2025;11(3). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.2176
Soriano-Romero O, Lozada-Morales R, Meza-Rocha A, Carmona-Téllez S, Caldiño U, Flores-Desirena B, Palomino-Merino R. Cold bluish white and blue emissions in Cu+-doped zinc phosphate glasses. Journal of Luminescence 2020;217:116791. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jlumin.2019.116791
Jiménez J. Spectroscopic inquiry of CuO-doped borate glasses in the 50B2O3-25Li2O-25BaO ternary. Spectrochimica Acta Part A: Molecular and Biomolecular Spectroscopy 2021;262:120113. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.saa.2021.120113
Demet Sariyer, Elif Yıldırım. A Hybrid Monte Carlo–Machine Learning Framework for High-Energy Neutron Shielding Using Boron-Enhanced Concrete. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering 2026;12(1):447–461. https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4827
Sağlam F, Cetin B. Investigation of Gamma Shielding Properties of Some Industrial Materials. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering 2025;11(2). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.1357
Seher Polat, Mucize Sarıhan, Roya Boudaghi Malidarreh3, Sabiha Anas Boussaa, Nurdan Karpuz, Nuray Kutu. ANN Prediction of Linear Attenuation Coefficients for 40MgO–30B2O3–30SiO2 System. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Radiation Research 2026;3(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijasrar.56
Sibel Özavci, Betül Çetin. Experimental Investigation of Radiation Shielding Effect in Different Doped Slag Concrete. International Journal of Sustainable Science and Technology 2025;1(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijsusat.23
Abou Hussein E, Shaban S, Makhlouf S. Unveiling the effect of CeO2 addition on optical, physical and radiation shielding efficiency in binary lead borate glasses. Radiation Physics and Chemistry 2025;235:112762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.radphyschem.2025.112762
Emikönel S, İskender A. Radiation Shielding Properties of B2O3-Bi2O3 Glass. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering 2025;11(2). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.2157
Demet Sarıyer. FLUKA Monte Carlo Assessment of Fe₂B-Based Shielding Materials for Secondary Neutrons in a 1000 MeV Proton Accelerator. International Journal of Computational and Experimental Science and Engineering 2025;11(4). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijcesen.4544
Morad Kh. Hamad . Synergistic Evaluation of Ionizing Radiation Shielding in Novel Lead-Free Alloys Using Geant4 MC toolkit. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Radiation Research 2025;2(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijasrar.47
Günoğlu K, Akkurt I. Gamma-ray attenuation properties carbide compounds (WC, Mo2C, TiC, SiC, B4C) using Phy-X/PSD software. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Radiation Research 2023;1(1):1-8. https://doi.org/10.22399/ijasrar.6
Calas G, Capobianco N, Galoisy L. Spectroscopic properties of alkali borate glasses containing Cu2+. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 2022;591:121711. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2022.121711
Lv T, Xu X, Zhou D, Qiu J. Influence of Cu+ cations on photoluminescence properties of Tb3+ in Cu+–Na+ ion-exchanged sodium-borosilicate glasses. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 2015;409:14-19. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jnoncrysol.2014.11.006
Duffy J. Redox equilibria in glass. Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids 1996;196:45-50. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3093(95)00560-9
Jiménez J. What is the origin of concentration quenching of Cu+ luminescence in glass?. Physica B: Condensed Matter 2016;498:92-97. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.physb.2016.06.030
Alharshan G, Shaaban S, Elsafi M, Elsad R, Said S, Mahmoud A, Bahei El-Deen A, Mimouni A. The impact of bismuth doping on the mechanical, optical, and radiation-shielding properties of borosilicate glass systems. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 2025;0(0):0-0. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2025.361649.11325
Saeed A, Abo Zeed M, ElShazly R, El Esh E, El-Mallah H. Evaluation of Gamma-Rays Attenuation Parameters for Novel Lead-Borate Glass System. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 2023;0(0):0-0. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2023.212043.7997
Gasser R, Yassin O, Salem S. Structural Characterization and Gamma-Ray Shielding- Parameters of Some Phosphate Glasses Containing By-Pass Cement Dust and Barium Oxide. Egyptian Journal of Chemistry 2021;0(0):0-0. https://doi.org/10.21608/ejchem.2021.43013.2884
Al-Buriahi M, Alsaiari N, Baskin M, Olarinoye I. Recent progress in the radiation shielding performance of common glass systems: The roles of different class of modifiers. Journal of Radiation Research and Applied Sciences 2025;18(1):101264. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrras.2024.101264
Zhang J, Moine B, Pedrini C, Parent C, Flem G. Optical spectroscopy of monovalent copper-doped borate glasses. Journal of Physics and Chemistry of Solids 1990;51(8):933-939. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-3697(90)90035-e
Verwey J, Coronado J, Blasse G. The luminescence of Cu(I) in strontium tetraborate. Journal of Solid State Chemistry 1991;92(2):531-536. https://doi.org/10.1016/0022-4596(91)90359-p
Mott NF, Davis EA. Electronic Processes in Non‐Crystalline Materials Clarendon‐Press, Oxford 1971 437 Seiten. £ 7,50. Kristall und Technik 1972;7(4). https://doi.org/10.1002/crat.19720070420
Malacara D. Color Vision and Colorimetry: Theory and Applications, Second Edition 2011. https://doi.org/10.1117/3.881172
Mortimer R, Varley T. Quantification of colour stimuli through the calculation of CIE chromaticity coordinates and luminance data for application to in situ colorimetry studies of electrochromic materials. Displays 2011;32(1):35-44. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.displa.2010.10.001
Sigel Jr, Ginther RG. The effect of iron on the ultraviolet absorption of high purity soda-silica glass, Glass Technol. 1968;9:66.
Cook L, Mader K. Ultraviolet Transmission Characteristics of a Fluorophosphate Laser Glass. Journal of the American Ceramic Society 1982;65(12):597-601. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1151-2916.1982.tb09936.x
Alotaibi B, Alhuzaymi T, Alotiby M, Makhlouf S, Shaaban K, Abdel Wahab E. Optical structural and radiation shielding efficiency of vanadium-doped LZBS glass. Optik 2024;301:171689. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijleo.2024.171689
Betul Cetin, Arzu Poyraz, Melek Gul. Examination of the radiation absorption parameters of CuO coatings prepared at different ratios. International Journal of Sustainable Science and Technology 2025;4(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijsusat.35
Waheed F, Iskender Akkurt. The Experimental Enhancing of the Radiation Shield Properties of Some Produced Compounds. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Radiation Research 2025;2(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijasrar.1
Abuş F, Gürçalar A, Günay O, Tunçman D, Kesmezacar F, Demir M. Quantification of Lens Radiation Exposure in Scopy Imaging: A Dose Level Analysis. International Journal of Applied Sciences and Radiation Research 2024;1(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijasrar.11
Soyal H, Sarıhan M. The Place, Importance and Development Approaches of Radiation Safety and Protection Education in Associate Degree Health Programs. International Journal of Sustainable Science and Technology 2025;1(1). https://doi.org/10.22399/ijsusat.11
Abou Hussein E, Barakat M. Structural, physical and ultrasonic studies on bismuth borate glasses modified with Fe2O3 as promising radiation shielding materials. Materials Chemistry and Physics 2022;290:126606. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matchemphys.2022.126606
Abou Hussein E, Shaban S, Rammah Y, Misbah M, Marzouk M. Newly developed CeO2 and Gd2O3-reinforced borosilicate glasses from municipal waste ash and their optical, structural, and gamma-ray shielding properties. Scientific Reports 2024;14(1):13673. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-63207-4
Abou Hussein E, Madbouly A. Fabrication and characterization of different PbO borate glass systems as radiation-shielding containers. Scientific Reports 2024;14(1):2638. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52071-x
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 French-Ukrainian Journal of Chemistry
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The French‑Ukrainian Journal of Chemistry holds copyright and publishes all articles under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International licence (CC BY 4.0).
This license permits unrestricted use, sharing, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, provided that the original author(s) and source are credited, a link to the license is included, and any changes made are indicated.
Authors grant the French‑Ukrainian Journal of Chemistry the exclusive right of first publication and may enter into separate, non‑exclusive distribution agreements for the published version (e.g., institutional repository, book chapter). Authors are also encouraged to post pre‑prints and post‑prints online to increase visibility and citation.
