An insight into advanced glass systems for radiation shielding applications: A review on different modifiers and heavy metal oxides-based glasses

Abstract

Ionizing radiation from natural and many synthetic sources is a remarkable tool in many scientific, production, quality control, food preservation, medical, security, and other technological processes. The need to protect humans (public and personnel), gadgets, the environment, and animals from the harmful effects of radiation, while maintaining and expanding the scope of application has made radiation protection an important topic to discuss. Among the methods and materials available for radiation control, shielding and the use of glass shields are the most effective and attractive methods and materials, respectively. In this report, the basic parameters for measuring shielding competences, basic shielding materials and their shortcomings, and glass shields are discussed. Five categories of glasses, namely, borate, germanate, silicate, phosphate, and tellurites, with important shielding attributes, are reviewed. The role of chemical composition, density, and mean atomic number as gamma shielding delineating factors was emphasized. The weaknesses and comparable advantages of each glass system were presented as well. The review concludes by looking at the trend and future of glass shields and research in radiation technology. The data and analysis presented in this review provides scientists and radiation protection technologist on the impact of certain chemical oxides on shielding efficacies of different glass systems.

Keywords

• Glass systems
• Modifying oxides
• Radiation
• Shielding applications
• Waste glasses