UV–vis spectroscopic studies of gamma irradiated lead sodium borosilicate glasses

•Gamma ray shielding behavior of the lead borosilicate glasses has been studied.•Using UV–vis spectroscopy, optical band gap and Urbach energy were chosen as determining parameters.•High lead containing glasses were found to be the most resistant to gamma radiation effects.

Sodium borosilicate glasses containing lead with composition xPbO–15Na2O–(70 − x) B2O3–15SiO2 where x = 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 (mol%) were prepared using the melt quenching technique. UV–vis spectroscopy has been employed to study the optical properties of these glasses before and after gamma irradiation in the dose range 0.1–60 kGy. From the optical absorption spectral data, the optical band gap and Urbach energies are evaluated. The results assert that the optical band gap energy values depend sensitively on added lead oxide content. Influence of modifier lead oxide on the optical behavior of these glasses is also reported.