Antimony-modified soda-lime-silica glass: Towards low-cost radiation-resistant materials

The development of inexpensive radiation-resistant glass is important for potential applications in displays, optics, and nuclear or space environments. This study considers the γ-ray X-ray resistance glasses relevant to low-cost float (i.e., SiO2–Na2O–CaO–MgO), modified with various concentrations (0 – 10 mol%) Sb2O3. Various doses (0, 0.2, 2.0, 5.0 MGy) γ-rays from decay 60Co nuclei, X-rays generated by an fluorescence (XRF) spectrometer, have been applied this series Sb2O3-modified float-type their radiation-induced damage. Irradiation leads formation defect centres (HC2, HC1, TE, E', E− types). These defects cause photo-darkening glass, which reduces its visible-wavelength optical transparency. addition Sb2O3 these led reductions defect-centres, combined forbidden bandgap narrowing non-linear changes absorption as a function content such that most transparent irradiated were advantageously obtained at low (0.5 content. mechanisms defect-formation involve creation Sb4+-ions assists mitigating effects irradiation on transparency glass. 0.5 mol% provided maximized concentration upon irradiation. Combined smallest UV band gap narrowing, it enabled retain highest all ionizing radiation studied (0.2, 2 5 MGy). work confirms substantially enhanced compared standard could potentially be further developed towards commercialization, example solution resistant applications.