Synthesis and structural, optical, physical properties of Gadolinium (III) oxide reinforced TeO2–B2O3–(20-x)Li2O-xGd2O3 glass system

Highlights: • TeO₂-B₂O₃-(20-x)Li₂O-xGd₂O₃ glass system were synthesized. • Structural, optical, physical and radiation interaction properties have been characterized. • An increment of 1.364802 g/cm⁻³ was provided from 0 to 20 mol% Gd₂O₃ reinforcement. • Increasing Gd₂O₃ reduced the number of NBOs and increased the attenuation properties. • TBLG20 sample was reported with superior material properties. -- Abstract: This study aimed to investigate different types of glasses based on 50TeO₂–30B₂O₃–(20-x)Li₂O-xGd₂O₃ (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20 mol.%) system in terms of their structural, optical, physical properties. Accordingly, five different samples were fabricated using melting-annealing method. Density calculations of the synthesized glasses were performed by using Archiemedes principle. Structural, optical, physical and radiation interaction properties were characterized through the XRD analyses, Raman spectra along with optical band gap, refractive index and Urbach energy and advanced simulation methods. Increasing Gd₂O₃ reinforcement from 0% to 20% mole increased glass density from 4.065 gcm⁻³ to 5.430 gcm⁻³. Optical transmittance as well as absorption parameters varied almost monotonically with increasing ratios of Gd₂O₃ indicating the ability to estimate and control these properties using Gd₂O₃ additive. Substitution of Li₂O with Gd₂O₃ within the structure increased the optical band gap significantly. The results showed that TBLG20 sample with the highest Gd₂O₃ additive has the highest gamma-ray and charged particle attenuation properties. It can be concluded inserting of high concentration Gd₂O₃ to TeO₂–B₂O₃–Li₂O glass system is useful synergetic tool of combining structural, optical, and radiation characteristics.