The role of different modifiers on radiation shielding, optical, and physical properties for strontium boro-tellurite glass

In this work, we fabricated a new composition of TeO₂–SrO–B₂O₃-MO (when RO = PbO, BaO, ZnO, and MoO₃) by using the melt quench technique. The role of various modifiers on strontium boro-tellurite glass was explored by studying structural, optical, and gamma-ray shielding properties. The structure for the glass was examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), and physical properties. The band gap, Urbach energy, refractive index, cut-off wavelength, etc., were determined based on the absorption ultraviolet (UV) spectrum. The gamma-ray shielding properties were defined experimentally and compared with XCOM data. The XRD data illustrated the amorphous nature of all glass samples and the FTIR results affirmed the functional groups for borate and tellurite. The highest density was recorded for a sample containing lead (SBT:Pb), followed by barium (SBT:Ba), Molybdenum (SBT:Mo), and Zinc (SBT:Zn). The experimental mass attenuation coefficient (MAC)_exp showed excellent compatibility with XCOM data, and the highest relative difference (RD) was 7.47. In conclusion, the SBT:Pb sample showed the maximum radiation shielding properties, making it a strong option for use in radiation shielding.