Influence of praseodymium oxide on the structural, mechanical and photon, charged particles, and neutron shielding properties of alumina borate glass

The structural, mechanical and radiation shielding properties of (69-x)B2O3-20TeO2-10Al2O3-1HfO2-xPr6O11 2 O 3-20TeO 2-10Al 2 O 3-1HfO 2-xPr 6 O 11 (where x = 0, 0.25, 0.5, 0.75, 1 mol %) glass system were investigated. This study introduces a novel approach by incorporating Pr6O11 6 O 11 into glass composition, highlighting its unique contributions to enhancing elastic properties, fracture toughness, hardness, and radiation shielding abilities. Experimental measurements were conducted within the energy range of 59.54-661.62 keV and theoretical calculations are made for MAC values. The presence of Pr6O11 6 O 11 was noted to positively influence the gamma shielding capabilities. At 59.54 keV, the addition of 0.25 mol% Pr6O11 6 O 11 increased the mass attenuation coefficient of the glass by 2.9 %, and the addition of 1 mol% Pr6O11 6 O 11 increased it by 29.8 %. The addition of 0.25 mol% Pr6O11 6 O 11 increased the fast neutron removal cross section of the glass by 4.4 %. Also, it is observed that the glass with 1 mol% Pr6O11 6 O 11 is the best shielding material against alpha and proton particles. A significant enhancement of 24.36 % in the fracture toughness value was observed, increasing from 1.059 to 1.317 MPa m 1/2 at 1 mol% Pr6O11. 6 O 11 . Experimental hardness values increased from 3.374 to 3.985 GPa, resulting in an improvement of 18.11 % at 1 mol% Pr6O11. 6 O 11 . The thermal stability (Delta T, Delta T, degrees C) value demonstrated a notable increase from 85 to 106, indicating a significant 24.7 % improvement at 0.25 mol% Pr6O11. 6 O 11 .