Mn, Cu and Cr nanoparticles in Li2B4O7 glass: Radiation shielding and optical properties

Lithium tetraborate (Li2B4O7) glass matrices doped with Manganese (Mn), Copper (Cu) and Chromium (Cr) were synthesized, using the melt-quenching method. Radiation shielding and optical parameters are studied in this work. High-resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy confirms formation of Mn, Cu and Cr nanoparticles in the samples. Absorption spectra of the samples show the characteristic surface-plasmon bands of these transition-metals nanoparticles. Their bandgaps were calculated from the absorption spectra. The fluorescence bands of each transition-metal nanoparticle ensembles in the tetraborate glass matrices are identified by recording the fluorescence spectrum. Emission spectra under 405 nm pumping show bands with a peak at 591 nm from nanoparticles of Mn, a peak at 750 nm of Cu, and a peak at 735 nm of Cr. The fluorescence lifetimes are measured, and the stimulated emission and absorption cross-section are calculated. The theoretical values of radiation shielding parameters mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), half value layer (HVL), tenth value layer (TVL), mean free path (MFP) and effective atomic number (Zeff) were calculated for the glass samples to analyze which sample has the best radiation shielding response. It should be noted that the samples made in this work present a better response than high-performance heavyweight concrete mixes using the coarse aggregates of magnetite. •Li2B4O7 glass matrices doped with Mn, Cu and Cr were synthesized.•Radiation shielding and optical parameters are studied.•Absorption show characteristic surface-plasmon bands of metal nanoparticles.•The theoretical values of radiation shielding parameters were calculated.•Samples in this work present better response than some heavyweight concrete mixes.