The effective role of La2O3 contribution on zinc borate glasses: radiation shielding and mechanical properties

In this theoretical study, the zinc borate glasses have been modified with lanthanum oxide (La2O3) in a different amount (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4%). The mechanical and shielding properties change after adding of lanthanum oxide in zinc borate glasses depending on the bond compression and Makishima-Mackenzie models. The mass attenuation coefficients have been calculated using the XCOM program and MCNPX simulation code. The results present that La2O3 increment in the glass density modifies the glass mechanical properties and improves the radiation attenuation performances. The variations in the mechanical properties are resulting from the formation of bridging oxygen. The density of the ZnO-B2O3-La2O3 glass system is proportional to La2O3 concentration, which is attributable to the highest molecular weight of La2O3 than those of ZnO and B2O3. Furthermore, the mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic numbers and effective removal cross-section of the glasses increases as La2O3 contains increase. The half-value layer, tenth value layer, mean free path, buildup factors and mass stopping power of the glasses decrease as La2O3 contain increases. Present results explained the characteristic of ZnO-B2O3-La2O3 glass as a novel nominee for radiation attenuation barrier in the chosen energy zone.