Examinations of mechanical, and shielding properties of CeO(2) reinforced B(2)O(3)–ZnF(2)–Er(2)O(3)–ZnO glasses for gamma-ray shield and neutron applications

The glass system 75B(2)O(3) - 4.5ZnF(2) – 0.5 Er(2)O(3)– [Formula: see text] ZnO- [Formula: see text] CeO(2), [Formula: see text] = (0 ≤ [Formula: see text] ≤ 1 mol. %) was manufactured using a melt quenching process, with CeO(2) substituted for ZnO in the glass matrix in concentrations ranging from 0 to 1 mol %. The Makishima–Mackenzie model and sound wave velocity measurements were used to evaluate the mechanical parameters and elastic characteristics of the examined glass system, respectively. The results showed that increasing CeO(2) doping ratio from 0 to 1 mol% increased density, sound velocities, elastic properties, and microhardness from 5.80 to 9.01 GPa. Phy-X/PSD software was employed to assess the effect of replacing ZnO with CeO(2) on shielding capacity. The obtained results revealed that replacing ZnO with CeO(2) enhances shielding characteristics and the manufactured glass may be useful in shielding applications.