Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Journal of Materials Engineering and Performance, cilt.34, sa.16, ss.17985-18000, 2025 (SCI-Expanded)
This study explores the radiation shielding and elastic properties of Er3+-doped lithium-zinc-tellurite glasses, focusing on both gamma-ray and neutron shielding capabilities, as well as mechanical properties. The elastic modulus values for the samples ranged from 59.70 to 60.72 GPa, indicating that the incorporation of Er3+ slightly influences the elastic properties of the glasses. The maximum elastic modulus value was observed in the TZL1.0Er sample, while the minimum was found in the TZL0.1Er sample, with a percentage difference of approximately 1.68%. The gamma-ray shielding properties were evaluated through parameters such as linear and mass attenuation coefficients, half-value layer, mean free path, and effective atomic number. The TZLE5 sample demonstrated superior gamma-ray attenuation with a linear attenuation coefficient of approximately 250 cm−1 at 0.1 MeV and an effective atomic number reaching up to 55 at lower photon energies. In contrast, the neutron shielding effectiveness, indicated by the fast neutron removal cross-section (ΣR), showed a decrease with increasing Er3+ content, with a percentage difference of nearly 8.3% between the highest and lowest ΣR values. The highest ΣR observed was approximately 0.12 1/cm, indicating that elements like Zn and Te, which are more abundant in samples with lower Er3+ content, contribute more effectively to neutron shielding. The benchmarking phase revealed that while TZLE5 excels in gamma-ray shielding, it is less effective for neutron protection compared to materials specifically engineered for neutron shielding. It can be concluded that Er3+-doped lithium-zinc-tellurite glasses offer excellent gamma-ray shielding and maintain mechanical stability but require the integration of effective neutron moderators to achieve balanced and comprehensive radiation protection.