Structural Investigations of Gamma-Irradiated PbO Glasses

Abstract

The effects of gamma radiations on the optical, physical and structural properties of zinc lead borate xZnO-2xPbO-(1-3x)B2O3 and zinc lead borosilicate xZnO-2xPbO-1/2(1-3x)B2O3-1/2(1-3x)SiO2 glasses have been investigated. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC), Ultraviolet-Visible (UV-Vis) and Fourier Transmission Infra-red (FTIR) spectroscopic techniques have been used to compare the properties of samples before and after gamma irradiation by a dose of 2.5 kGy. The variation of density, optical band gap (Eg), IR absorption bands and glass transition temperature (Tg) indicates that the structure of glasses changes due to irradiation. The radiation induced changes created by-ray in the optical, physical and thermal parameters in both the prepared series of glasses have been discussed for their possible application as radiation shielding material.