Effect of 3d-transition metal doping on the shielding behavior of barium borate glasses: A spectroscopic study

•Base barium borate glass and glasses with minor transition metal doping were prepared.•FTIR and UV–Vis. absorption were measured before and after gamma irradiation.•UV optical data reveals some different changes that related to composition.•FTIR shows minor variation which are interpreted and discussed.

UV–visible and FT infrared spectra were measured for prepared samples before and after gamma irradiation. Base undoped barium borate glass of the basic composition (BaO 40%–B2O3 60 mol.%) reveals strong charge transfer UV absorption bands which are related to unavoidable trace iron impurities (Fe3+) within the chemical raw materials. 3d transition metal (TM)-doped glasses exhibit extra characteristic absorption bands due to each TM in its specific valence or coordinate state. The optical spectra show that TM ions favor generally the presence in the high valence or tetrahedral coordination state in barium borate host glass.Infrared absorption bands of all prepared glasses reveal the appearance of both triangular BO3 units and tetrahedral BO4 units within their characteristic vibrational modes and the TM-ions cause minor effects because of the low doping level introduced (0.2%).Gamma irradiation of the undoped barium borate glass increases the intensity of the UV absorption together with the generation of an induced broad visible band at about 580 nm. These changes are correlated with suggested photochemical reactions of trace iron impurities together with the generation of positive hole center (BHC or OHC) within the visible region through generated electrons and positive holes during the irradiation process.

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