Exploring elastic mechanics and radiation shielding efficacy in neodymium(III)-enhanced zinc tellurite glasses: A theoretical and applied physics perspective

Authors

• Hesham M. H. Zakaly * ^{1, 2, 3}
• Yasser S. Rammah ⁴
• Shams A. M. Issa ⁵
• Nouf Almousa ⁶
• Adel M. El-Refaey ⁷
• Mohamed Said Shams ⁸

1. Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, Menoufia University, Shebin El Koom, Egypt
2. Istinye University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Computer Engineering Department, Istanbul, Turkey
3. Institute of Physics and Technology, Ural Federal University, Yekaterinburg, Russia
4. Department of Physics, College of Science, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
5. Department of Basic and Applied Science, Collage of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy of Science, Technology and Maritime Transport, Smart Village, Giza, Egypt.
6. Physics and Mathematical Engineering Department, Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Menoufia University, Menouf, Egypt.
7. Department of Basic and Applied Science, College of Engineering and Technology, Arab Academy of Science,  Technology and Maritime Transport, Smart Village, Giza, Egypt
8. Physics and Mathematical Engineering Department, Faculty of Electronic Engineering, Menoufia University, Menouf, Egypt

Abstract

The present work scrutinizes the radiation protection features and mechanical characteristics of neodymium zinc-tellurite of composition [(TeO₂)₇₀-(ZnO)₃₀]_1-x –(Nd₂O₃)_x: x= 0-5 mol% in steps of 1 (TZNd1 – 5). The Makishima–Mackenzie’s model was adopted for the computation of the Poisson’s ratio (PR) and elastic moduli. WinXcom and EXABCal software’s were performed to evaluate the radiation shielding parameters and buildup factors, respectively of TZNd-glasses. Results revealed that the increasing of Nd₂O₃ concentration in TZNd-glasses from 1 to 5 mol% had a positive effect on their elastic parameters: Young’s modulus increased from 53.13 to 54.81GPa, bulk modulus changed from 31.95-33.65 GPa, and the PR varied from 0.222 to 0.228 for TZNd1 to TZNd5. There was a small increase in the Z/A as the Nd content increased, which leads to slight increase in TMSP of the particles. The mass attenuation coefficient increased in the order TZNd1< TZNd2< TZNd3 < TZNd4 < TZNd5. The maximum value of LAC obtained at 15 keV were 246, 249, 253, 257, and 260 cm^-1 for TZNd1, TZNd2, TZNd3, TZNd4, and TZNd5, respectively. The HVT varies inversely with the linear attenuation coefficient. Throughout the considered energy spectrum the range of   for the glasses varied from 22.65 – 40.22, 22.64 – 40.25, 22.64 – 40.29, 22.63 – 40.32, and 22.63 – 40.36 for TZNd1, TZNd2, TZNd3, TZNd4, and TZNd5, respectively. The values of fast neutron removal cross section  showed a steady increase as the partial densities of Nd and oxygen of the TZNd-glass systems increased. Generally, one can conclude that the additive of Nd₂O₃ to TeO₂-ZnO glasses leads to enhance their mechanical properties and increase their ability to absorb neutron and photon to apply in nuclear medicine applications.

Keywords

• WinXcom
• Tellurite
• EXABCal code
• Mechanical features
• Radiation protection