Study of Paramagnetic Species in γ-irradiated Lithium Borate Glasses Doped With Cu²⁺ Ions

Mixed alkali borate glasses doped with different concentration of Cu O ranging from (0.1-10) wt% have been prepared by the melt quenching technique. The prepared samples were studied by means of density, molar volume, infrared spectroscopy and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements before and after successive gamma irradiation (50-200 kGy). The results showed that the density increase while molar volume decrease with the increase of CuO %. The infrared absorption studies revealed that structure of the glass network consists of BO 3 , BO 4 and B-O-Cu linkages. Gamma irradiation causes minor changes in the IR spectral bands which are related to the bond break of the B-O bond and formation non-bridging oxygen. Gamma irradiation causes irregular change in the intensities of the EPR spectra for samples doped with 0.1, 0.2 and 10 wt % of Cu O, however, no change in the EPR spectra of 2 and 5 wt % of Cu O for all absorbed doses (50-200 kGy). It is expected that the Cu-doped lithium borate glass 2 and 5 wt % of Cu O may be used for radiation shielding.