Tailoring optimal KERMA, projected range, and mass stopping power, and gamma-ray shielding capabilities through BaO/ZnO/CdO/SrO incorporation into Na2O–SiO2 glasses

This study explores the radiation shielding potential of Na2O–SiO2 glass matrices doped with BaO, ZnO, CdO, and SrO, analysed across a broad energy spectrum. The research employed various computational tools such as Phy-X/PSD and PAGEX codes to calculate various shielding parameters, including Kinetic Energy Released in Material (KERMA), mass stopping power, fast neutron, and gamma-ray attenuation properties. Among the glass samples, S3, with its BaO content, exhibited the most advantageous properties in terms of radiation attenuation. The results showed that S3 has the lowest Half Value Layer (HVL) of 0.032 cm at 0.015 MeV and the highest KERMA value, peaking at 0.3 MeV with 0.18 MeV/g. The mass stopping power values for alpha particles in the S3 sample showed a pronounced peak at 0.7 MeV, reaching 150 MeV cm2/g, indicating superior energy absorption. The S3 sample, composed of 20% Na2O, 20% BaO, and 60% SiO2, demonstrated the highest density (i.e., 3.225 g/cm³) and effective atomic number (i.e., 17.5), which contributed to its superior shielding performance. The study's findings show that the careful manipulation of glass composition, particularly through the incorporation of high-atomic-number oxides, can significantly enhance shielding effectiveness. It can be concluded that the S3 glass sample would be an optimal configuration for practical applications in radiation protection, where the Na2O–SiO2 glass matrices doped with BaO in terms of optimal material properties. •BaO-doped Na2O–SiO2 glasses superior in gamma radiation shielding than ZnO, CdO, SrO.•S3 sample with 20% BaO exhibits best shielding, demonstrating high KERMA, mass stopping power.•Incorporating high-atomic-number oxides enhances glass shielding effectiveness significantly.•S3 glass composition is optimal shielding purposes.