Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)

This study explores the physical, radiation shielding, optical, and photoluminescent properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-based glass systems. Traditional radiation shielding materials, like lead and concrete, face challenges due to toxicity and weight. Glass materia...

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Main Authors: Mioara Zagrai, Ramona-Crina Suciu, Radu Cristian Gavrea, Vasile Rednic
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Applied Sciences
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/864
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author Mioara Zagrai
Ramona-Crina Suciu
Radu Cristian Gavrea
Vasile Rednic
author_facet Mioara Zagrai
Ramona-Crina Suciu
Radu Cristian Gavrea
Vasile Rednic
author_sort Mioara Zagrai
collection DOAJ
description This study explores the physical, radiation shielding, optical, and photoluminescent properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-based glass systems. Traditional radiation shielding materials, like lead and concrete, face challenges due to toxicity and weight. Glass materials provide an alternative, offering transparency and efficiency. Four glass systems were analyzed: PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> (PS), PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-CeO<sub>2</sub> (PSC), PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (PSE), and PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-Yb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (PSY). The results show that rare earth elements densify the glass network, thereby enhancing radiation attenuation properties, quantified through parameters like the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), the half-value layer (HVL), and the mean free path (MFP). The PSY system exhibited the best shielding properties, demonstrating its potential for use in gamma ray shielding. Samples PS0–PS3 revealed semiconducting behavior and may be considered a promising host matrix for solar cells and w-LED applications.
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institution Kabale University
issn 2076-3417
language English
publishDate 2025-01-01
publisher MDPI AG
record_format Article
series Applied Sciences
spelling doaj-art-3649a3b4de2e425a9a24fbc96f71f6fb2025-01-24T13:21:07ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-01-0115286410.3390/app15020864Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)Mioara Zagrai0Ramona-Crina Suciu1Radu Cristian Gavrea2Vasile Rednic3Materials, Energy and Advanced Technologies Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, INCDTIM, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMaterials, Energy and Advanced Technologies Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, INCDTIM, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMaterials, Energy and Advanced Technologies Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, INCDTIM, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaMaterials, Energy and Advanced Technologies Department, National Institute for Research and Development of Isotopic and Molecular Technologies, INCDTIM, 400293 Cluj-Napoca, RomaniaThis study explores the physical, radiation shielding, optical, and photoluminescent properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-based glass systems. Traditional radiation shielding materials, like lead and concrete, face challenges due to toxicity and weight. Glass materials provide an alternative, offering transparency and efficiency. Four glass systems were analyzed: PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> (PS), PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-CeO<sub>2</sub> (PSC), PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-Eu<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (PSE), and PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub>-Yb<sub>2</sub>O<sub>3</sub> (PSY). The results show that rare earth elements densify the glass network, thereby enhancing radiation attenuation properties, quantified through parameters like the linear attenuation coefficient (μ), the half-value layer (HVL), and the mean free path (MFP). The PSY system exhibited the best shielding properties, demonstrating its potential for use in gamma ray shielding. Samples PS0–PS3 revealed semiconducting behavior and may be considered a promising host matrix for solar cells and w-LED applications.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/864lead–silicate glassrare earth ionsradiation shieldingsemiconductorluminescence propertiescolor parameters
spellingShingle Mioara Zagrai
Ramona-Crina Suciu
Radu Cristian Gavrea
Vasile Rednic
Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
Applied Sciences
lead–silicate glass
rare earth ions
radiation shielding
semiconductor
luminescence properties
color parameters
title Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
title_full Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
title_fullStr Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
title_full_unstemmed Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
title_short Evolution of the Radiation Shielding, Optical, and Luminescence Properties of PbO<sub>2</sub>-SiO<sub>2</sub> Glass Systems and the Influence of Rare Earth Elements (Eu, Ce, Yb)
title_sort evolution of the radiation shielding optical and luminescence properties of pbo sub 2 sub sio sub 2 sub glass systems and the influence of rare earth elements eu ce yb
topic lead–silicate glass
rare earth ions
radiation shielding
semiconductor
luminescence properties
color parameters
url https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/2/864
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AT raducristiangavrea evolutionoftheradiationshieldingopticalandluminescencepropertiesofpbosub2subsiosub2subglasssystemsandtheinfluenceofrareearthelementseuceyb
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