Effects of reducing PbO content on the elastic and radiation attenuation properties of germanate glasses: a new non‐toxic candidate for shielding applications

This work presents a detailed study on the effects of reducing PbO content elastic and radiation shielding properties germanate glasses described by chemical formula 50GeO2-(50-x)PbO-xZnO, where x between 0 50 mol % with step 10. A theoretical analysis based Makishima-Mackenzie’s theory (MM-theory) was employed to obtain moduli studied glass specimens. Moreover, Monte Carlo simulations were applied via Geant4 platform assess ability GeO2-PbO-ZnO system evaluating several fundamental such as gamma neutron transmission factors, total cross sections, effective atomic numbers, 1/e penetration depths, exposure buildup factors. We found that bulk modulus increased from 50.751 GPa 85.389 decreased mol% 0. The results linear attenuation coefficient show sections $${\left(\sigma \right)}_{PE}, {\left(\sigma \right)}_{CS}$$ , \right)}_{PP}$$ dominates photon at 0.15 ≤ E $$\le$$ 0.08; 0.8 < 8, 8 15 MeV, respectively. present have superior absorbing capacity compared ordinary barite concrete; RS-253-G18 RS-360 commercial shields. suggests can be used non-toxic material in nuclear facilities.