The interaction of high-energy photons with matter is a field of concern in several disciplines, such as radiation medicine, nuclear engineering, and space technology. These interactions are very essential for developing applications in those fields [1]. The use of X-rays and gamma rays is increasing in different fields, especially in radiotherapy, imaging, and sterilization; however, leakage and scattering of these rays may cause potent health hazards to human beings. Proper shielding is one of the vital and essential precautions when dealing with such radiations [2]. Currently, the shielding against the two most frequently encountered types of indirectly ionizing radiation, namely photons and neutrons, has gained much attention due to the needs for proper measures to reduce the risks associated with radiation [3]. Glass, an inorganic material, is usually brittle and transparent to visible light [4] and can absorb gamma rays and neutrons to act as a radiation shield for observers and researchers [5].

The mass attenuation parameter (µ_m), effective atomic number (Z_eff) and effective electron density (N_eff) are convenient parameters with which the scattering and absorption of gamma rays can be characterized for a given material. For example, effective atomic numbers can be used to determine an approximate value of the chemical composition of an unknown compound or they can be used to substitute one chemical element by another in a complicated material [6]. It has to be taken into consideration that the atomic numbers of the elements making up the materials need to be weighted differently for every particular process by which gamma radiation interacts with matter. The effective atomic number of a given material, hence, is not a constant but depends on photon energy and depends on what interaction processes are involved [7].

Materials with high atomic numbers and high densities are primarily used for this purpose; however, because of their high prices, their use is limited [8]. The materials used in this experiment are stainless steel and lead. Silicate glass is one of the preferred choices to the other substances used in radiation shielding owing to its strength and low cost. Silicate glass is one of the better materials used for protection from radiation [9]. Glasses containing BaO belong to a specific glass system that has demonstrated considerable significance from both basic scientific and technological viewpoints [10][11]. Silicate glasses are preferably used materials for many applications in optical devices. In modern era, the popularity of silicate glass has grown significantly with the importance of optical components in communication technology. Now a days, forms of communication such as telephone, fax, and the Internet are almost completely dependent on optical fiber transmission, which has largely replaced the use of copper wiring [12].

A comparison between Eu₂O₃-doped silicate glasses and other glass types, such as, borate and phosphate glass, indicates that silicates generally possess better mechanical stability and optical clarity while still retaining acceptable radiation shielding properties [13]. The incorporation of Eu₂O₃ into such glass matrices have proved to increase both the mechanical integrity and radiation shielding ability of the material significantly compared to conventional glass formulations. The observed effect may be attributed to the unique structural characteristics imparted by the rare-earth oxide, which increases the stability of the glass matrix and thus improves the performance of the glass in radiation protection properties [14].

Radiation shielding materials are necessary for the protection of human health and the environment from harmful ionizing radiation. The ideal design of these materials is to compromise effectively a group of mechanical properties, transparency, and shielding efficiency. A few recent studies have highlighted the potential of employing various glass compositions to achieve these goals. For example, [13] found that modified borate glasses exhibit significant abilities for radiation shielding, indicating their potential application in nuclear facilities and medicine.

Moreover, the developments in the manufacturing of composite materials have been seen to demonstrate higher efficiency in radiation shielding. Research by Kaur et al. (2022) determined the effective parameters of photon interactions in different oxide glasses, indicating that certain doping can enhance the attenuation properties considerably, hence rendering them more suitable for use in high-radiation fields [14]. These findings are in agreement with ongoing research on rare-earth oxide doped glasses, where doping with elements like europium can impart certain structural characteristics beneficial for radiation shielding. Likewise, a comparative investigation by Tow et al. (2020) on silicone-based materials highlighted the significance of hybrid composites in reducing the effective atomic number and enhancing electron density, which contributes to better shielding performance against gamma radiation [15]. While the use of materials like lead oxide has been prevalent in conventional glass formulations, the environmental issues related to lead have prompted research into more secure and eco-friendly substitutes.

In this article, the current study aims to further explore the radiation shielding potential of Eu₂O₃-doped silicate glasses. The glasses not only show promising mechanical stability and transparency but also demonstrate enhanced radiation attenuation properties with the incorporation of europium oxide. Through the controlled modification of Eu₂O₃ concentration in the glass matrix, we aim to optimize the radiation shielding performance with a particular focus on the lack of toxic materials, such as lead. This study adds to the increasing literature concerning eco-friendly materials for radiation protection applications, promoting the utilization of novel glass compositions with the fulfillment of safety and performance criteria.

Some researchers have measured absorption coefficients or have calculated effective atomic numbers or effective electron densities for glasses at energies around 1 MeV [15]-[21], but there is a lack of studies covering lower and higher energy regions. In the present study, we have calculated the effective atomic number and related parameters for photon energies between 0.001 MeV and 1 MeV for the 40Li₂O-05BaO-05Gd₂O₃-(50-x) glass formulations using photon interaction cross-sections obtained from the WinXCOM interpolation program [22].

The glasses having composition 40Li₂O-05BaO-05Gd₂O₃-(50-x) (where “x” is the mole percent of Eu₂O₃) were prepared by the conventional melt quenching method. The reagent’s quantities were weighed as per the above formula and mixed to form a total of 10 grams for every sample, followed by loading the mixture in an alumina crucible. The crucibles were moved to the lower part of the electric furnace for heating. The temperature of the electric furnace is increased to 1500˚C at the rate of 10 ˚C/min. The temperature had been maintained for 3 hours at 1500˚C for the homogeneous melting of chemicals. The fluid is then quickly poured out on a steel sculpture and moved to some other electric oven which has already been kept at 500˚C for further 3 hours to eliminate the thermal stress. The sample is polished carefully on the alumina polishing plate using high-quality diamond polishing powder to obtain a smooth, transparent, and parallel surface. The glass samples thus prepared and fine polished to sizes of (W × D × H) 1.0 cm × 0.3 cm × 1.5 cm for further analysis [14].

The investigation of the structural properties and radiation shielding capabilities of Eu₂O₃-doped silicate glasses has yielded useful information on their prospective applications in radiation protection. The research was directed at a specific glass composition of 40Li₂O-05BaO-05Gd₂O₃-(50-x), which was prepared by the melt-quenching technique, with Eu₂O₃ concentrations ranging from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%. The results indicated an exceptional improvement in the mass attenuation coefficient (μ_m) with rising concentrations of Eu₂O₃, signifying an improved capacity for photon absorption. This correlation follows the Beer-Lambert law, describing the exponential decrease of the radiation as a function of the thickness of the material and the absorption coefficients. The rise in μ can be ascribed to the higher electron density of the glass matrix, allowing for more intense photon interactions, especially via the photoelectric effect at lower photon energies. Additionally, the research recognized abduction in the effective atomic number (Z_eff) with increasing photon energy, a trend largely determined by the composition of the glass. The presence of europium, a high-atomic-number element, increases radiation shielding at lower photon energies because of its intense photoelectric absorption behavior, consistent with traditional models of radiation interaction. Besides, the effective electron density (N_e) presented an increasing behavior regarding the increase in the concentration of Eu₂O₃, hence increasing the potential for photon interactions within the glass medium.

The study also pointed out a decrease in half-value layer (HVL) with higher dopant concentration, which is an indication of enhanced shielding ability. This is in line with theoretical principles which assert that materials of higher attenuation coefficients need less thickness to cut down radiation by 50%. The results highlight the necessity of customization of silicate glass compositions to optimize their radiation shielding performance. By precise control of dopant concentrations, these materials can be optimized for use in radiation medicine, nuclear engineering, and aerospace applications. Experimental verification is required to support the theoretical predictions and facilitate practical implementation of Eu₂O₃-doped silicate glasses in radiation shielding.