Investigation of structural and radiation shielding properties of 40B${}_2$O${}_3$–30PbO–(30-x) BaO-x ZnO glass system

A series of barium, lead borate (BaLB) glasses with chemical composition x ZnO–(30-x) BaO–30PbO–40B${}_2$O${}_3$, x variety 0 $\le$ x $\le$ 20 mol % has been prepared and synthesized by a conventional melting method. The structural analysis has been performed using FT-IR techniques. FT-IR confirmed that BO${}_3$, BO${}_4$, PbO${}_6$, and ZnO${}_4$ are structural units. The optical absorption spectra have been studied before and after gamma irradiation. The radiation shielding parameters were evaluated experimentally and theoretically using the XCOM program within the energy range 0.662 MeV–1.333 MeV. In addition, the shielding parameter values investigated using XCOM software are in a good agreement with experimental results. These parameters indicate that the prepared samples possess better shielding properties than ordinary concrete.