Radiation shielding performance of Al2O3-Based glass systems: A systematic review of influence modifier oxides concentration on attenuation properties.
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| Title: | Radiation shielding performance of Al2O3-Based glass systems: A systematic review of influence modifier oxides concentration on attenuation properties. |
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| Authors: | Qayyom, Abdul1 (AUTHOR), Azlan, Muhammad1 (AUTHOR), Abdullah, Bualkar1 (AUTHOR), Gareso, Paulus Lobo1 (AUTHOR), Tahir, Dahlang1 (AUTHOR) dtahir@fmipa.unhas.ac.id |
| Source: | Radiation Physics & Chemistry. Sep2026, Vol. 246, pN.PAG-N.PAG. 1p. |
| Subjects: | Radiation shielding, Metallic oxides, Attenuation of light, Glass, Attenuation coefficients, Mass attenuation coefficients |
| Abstract: | The growing use of ionizing radiation in medical imaging, nuclear facilities, and industrial applications has intensified the demand for efficient, environmentally safe, and lead-free radiation shielding materials. Glass systems have emerged as promising alternatives to conventional lead shielding because of their optical transparency, chemical durability, and compositional flexibility. In particular, aluminum oxide (Al 2 O 3) plays an important structural role in reinforcing glass networks and improving compatibility with high atomic number (high Z) modifier oxides that enhance photon attenuation. This study presents a systematic review of the photon shielding performance of Al 2 O 3 based glass systems modified with heavy metal oxides. A systematic literature search was conducted using ScienceDirect, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and 20 peer-reviewed studies published between 2019 and 2025 were selected following screening and eligibility criteria. Experimental data and calculations from the XCOM photon cross section database were compiled to evaluate key attenuation parameters, including mass attenuation coefficient (MAC), linear attenuation coefficient (LAC), and half value layer (HVL), across representative photon energies. The collected data indicate that glasses containing high Z modifier oxides such as WO 3 , Bi 2 O 3 , and PbO exhibit significantly improved attenuation behavior compared with lower Z modifiers. At a photon energy of 0.5 MeV, MAC values reported in the literature typically range from approximately 0.054 to 0.137 cm2 g−1 , while corresponding HVL values decrease from about 3.33 cm to nearly 1.0 cm in high density glass compositions. Increasing modifier concentration generally enhances density, effective atomic number, and electron density, leading to higher photon interaction probability and improved shielding efficiency. In these systems, Al 2 O 3 primarily contributes to structural stability and mechanical integrity, enabling the incorporation of higher concentrations of heavy metal modifiers without compromising glass network stability. Overall, the review highlights the strong influence of modifier oxide type and concentration on the attenuation performance of Al 2 O 3 based glass systems. The findings indicate that optimizing the balance between network forming oxides and high Z modifiers is essential for developing high performance, lead free, and structurally stable glass materials suitable for radiation protection in medical, industrial, and nuclear environments. Unlike previous studies focusing on individual glass systems, this review systematically compares multiple Al 2 O 3 based compositions across a moderate to high modifier concentration range (10–50 mol%) , providing clearer insights into composition attenuation relationships. By integrating experimentally reported attenuation data with XCOM based computational analysis, this review clarifies composition structure attenuation relationships and identifies practical design strategies for optimizing lead free radiation shielding glass materials. • Al 2 O 3 -based glasses offer transparent, durable, lead-free alternatives for photon shielding applications. • Heavy-metal oxide modifiers (10–50%) significantly enhance photon attenuation in Al 2 O 3 glass systems. • Increasing WO 3 , Bi 2 O 3 , PbO, ZnO, MoO 3 boosts MAC, LAC and lowers HVL across broad photon-energy ranges. • WO 3 and Bi 2 O 3 give the highest attenuation, while Al 2 O 3 improves mechanical integrity and network stability. • Study exposes a research gap in high-modifier Al 2 O 3 glasses and guides next-generation shielding glass design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
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| Database: | Engineering Source |
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