Investigation of photon, neutron and proton shielding features of H₃BO₃-ZnO-Na₂O-BaO glass system

Mhareb, M.H.A.,Alajerami, Y.S.M.,Dwaikat, Nidal,Al-Buriahi, M.S.,Alqahtani, Muna,Alshahri, Fatimh,Saleh, Noha,Alonizan, N.,Saleh, M.A.,Sayyed, M.I. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.3

The current study aims to explore the shielding properties of multi-component borate-based glass series. Seven glass-samples with composition of (80-y)H₃BO₃-10ZnO-10Na₂O-yBaO where (y = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mol.%) were synthesized by melt-quench method. Various shielding features for photons, neutrons, and protons were determined for all prepared samples. XCOM, Phy-X program, and SRIM code were performed to determine and explain several shielding properties such as equivalent atomic number, exposure build-up factor, specific gamma-ray constants, effective removal cross-section (Σ_R), neutron scattering and absorption, Mass Stopping Power (MSP) and projected range. The energy ranges for photons and protons were 0.015-15 MeV and 0.01-10 MeV, respectively. The mass attenuation coefficient (μ/ρ) was also determined experimentally by utilizing two radioactive sources (¹⁶⁶Ho and ¹³⁷Cs). Consistent results were obtained between experimental and XCOM values in determining μ/ρ of the new glasses. The addition of BaO to the glass matrix led to enhance the μ/ρ and specific gamma-ray constants of glasses. Whereas the remarkable reductions in Σ_R, MSP, and projected range values were reported with increasing BaO concentrations. The acquired results nominate the use of these glasses in different radiation shielding purposes.

Investigations on borate glasses within SBC-Bx system for gamma-ray shielding applications

Rammah, Y.S.,Tekin, H.O.,Sriwunkum, C.,Olarinoye, I.,Alalawi, Amani,Al-Buriahi, M.S.,Nutaro, T.,Tonguc, Baris T. Korean Nuclear Society 2021 Nuclear Engineering and Technology Vol.53 No.1

This paper examines gamma-ray shielding properties of SBC-Bx glass system with the chemical composition of 40SiO₂-10B₂O₃-xBaO-(45-x)CaO- yZnO- zMgO (where x = 0, 10, 20, 30, and 35 mol% and y = z = 6 mol%). Mass attenuation coefficient (µ/ρ) which is an essential parameter to study gamma-ray shielding properties was obtained in the photon energy range of 0.015-15 MeV using PHITS Monte Carlo code for the proposed glasses. The obtained results were compared with those calculated by WinXCOM program. Both the values of PHITS code and WinXCOM program were observed in very good agreement. The (µ/ρ values were then used to derive mean free path (MFP), electron density (N_eff), effective atomic number (Z_eff), and half value layer (HVL) for all the glasses involved. Additionally, G-P method was employed to estimate exposure buildup factor (EBF) for each glass in the energy range of 0.015-15 MeV up to penetration depths of 40 mfp. The results reveal that gamma-ray shielding effectiveness of the SBC-Bx glasses evolves with increasing BaO content in the glass sample. Such that SBC-B35 glass has superior shielding capacity against gamma-rays among the studied glasses. Gamma-ray shielding properties of SBC-B35 glass were compared with different conventional shielding materials, commercial glasses, and newly developed HMO glasse. Therefore, the investigated glasses have potential uses in gamma shielding applications.

Facile fabrication of ternary CuO/CuS/ZnS for photodegradation of methylene blue

Abudllah Muhammad,Al Huwayz Maryam,Alwadai Norah,Manzoor Sumaira,Nisa Mehar Un,John Peter,Ghori Muhammad Ishfaq,Aman Salma,Al-Buriahi M. S.,Ashiq Muhammad Naeem 한국세라믹학회 2023 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.60 No.3

Synthetic dyes play a vital role in our daily life because they are utilized in products ranging from clothing to leather acces- sories. Unfortunately, these carcinogenic dyes are discharged into water streams any prior process considering the health problems in aquatic life and human beings. It is mandatory to separate noxious materials from wastewater. Semiconductors are viewed as a viable possibility for photocatalytic mineralization of noxious dyes. Herein, facile in situ hydrothermal approach (HT) was utilized for the fabrication of CuO, CuS ZnS, and their ternary CuO/CuS/ZnS nanocomposite. The fab- ricated CuO/CuS/ZnS nanocomposites were analysed through powder X-ray diff raction (PXRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope equipped with energy-dispersive X-ray (SEM–EDX), and ultraviolet– visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis). Moreover, the optical investigation manifested the bandgap energy value of copper oxide, copper sulphides, zinc sulphides, and ternary CuO/CuS/ZnS nanocomposite, corresponding to 2.63, 3.1, 4.51, and 2.2 eV, respectively, which was estimated from absorption spectrum. Subsequently, the photocatalytic results of CuO, CuS, ZnS, and ternary CuO/CuS/ZnS nanocomposite against methylene blue (MB) dye were 71%, 42%, 45%, and 96%, respectively. The photocatalytic scheme showed the role of hydroxyl radicals and electrons in the photodegradation reaction. Our fi nding suggests that the fabricated nanocomposite shows superior photocatalytic efficiency towards mineralization of methylene blue which can be used for commercial applications.

Tungsten oxide-copper oxide supported on reduced graphene oxide as a proficient electrocatalyst with enhanced hydrogen evolution efficiency in an alkaline media

Katubi Khadijah Mohammedsaleh,Warsi Al-Zoha,Aziz Fatima,Khattak Zafar A.K.,Warsi Muhammad Farooq,Al-Buriahi M.S.,Alrowaili Z. A.,Yousaf Sheraz 한국물리학회 2023 Current Applied Physics Vol.51 No.-

This study focuses on the production of hydrogen through electrocatalysis using a newly synthesized and characterized nano-hybrid composite based electrocatalyst. The electrocatalyst is composed of mixed metal oxides and reduced graphene oxide. The electrocatalysts were evaluated for their structural and morphological characteristics through the implementation of diverse characterization methodologies. The utilization of electrochemical methodologies, including linear sweep voltammetry, Tafel slope, and electrochemical active surface area measurements, provided valuable information regarding the catalytic efficiency and effectiveness of the electrocatalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction. The findings indicate that the electrocatalyst WO3–CuO/ rGO demonstrated exceptional catalytic efficiency, as evidenced by a current density of 200 mA/cm2 at an overpotential of -400 mV, a Tafel slope of 44 mVdec-1, and low charge transfer resistance. Additionally, the chronoamperometric analysis exhibited the electrocatalyst’s durability, highlighting its potential for practical implementations.

Facile synthesis of rGO/PANI/ZnO ternary nanocomposites for energy storage devices

Abbas Sajid,Elqahtani Zainab Mufarreh,Yasmeen Ghazala,Manzoor Suryyia,Manzoor Sumaira,Al-Buriahi M. S.,Alrowaili Z. A.,Ashiq Muhammad Naeem 한국세라믹학회 2023 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.60 No.1

Due to the dire energy needs and the unavailability of energy storage devices, supercapacitors have become an inescapable substitute for energy storage systems. As a high energy density electrode material, we offer rGO/PANI/ZnO ternary nanocomposite designed via the polymerization method and are characterized by various analytical techniques. The results show that rGO/PANI/ZnO has the best capacitive behavior, with a specific capacity of 1546 F/g at 2 mV/s on the eggshell membrane electrode (ESME). The nanocomposite rGO/PANI/ZnO, on the other hand, presented the best cycling stability, retaining 97% of capacity after 3000 cycles. This is due to the fast transfer of electrons between rGO/ZnO and PANI in an electrochemical charge storage device. This research encompasses an enhanced flexible PANI-based electrode to become viable innovative wearable sensor alternative.

Study on the synthesis and activity of Ag/LaFeO3/CNTs for photodegradation of harmful pollutants under visible light irradiation

Alfryyan Nada,Irshad Amna,Altaf Sehar,Basha Beriham,Al-Buriahi M. S.,Alrowaili Z. A.,Sabeeh Humera,Din Muhammad Imran 한국세라믹학회 2024 한국세라믹학회지 Vol.61 No.1

The current study is based on the synthesis of lanthanum ferrite (LF), silver-doped lanthanum ferrite (AgLF), and its composite with CNTs (AgLF@CNT) for degradation of organic effluents under visible light. The physiochemical characteristics of synthesized nanomaterials were examined by X-ray diffraction technique (XRD), Fourier transforms infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and UV–Visible spectroscopy. XRD results revealed that the synthesized product has a crystalline structure. Tauc plot method was used to analyze the bandgap energy of the prepared nanocatalysts. Bare and doped lanthanum ferrite showed bandgap energy of 2.72 eV and 1.81 eV, respectively. The % degradation shown by LF, AgLF and AgLF@CNT for the degradation of methylene orange was 37.93%, 53.98%, and 78.26%, respectively. AgLF@CNT showed 74.42% degradation of crystal violet at the rate of 0.007 min−1. AgLF@CNT has an effective visible efficiency of photocatalysis for methylene orange and crystal violet degradation and gives better photodegradation efficiency due to a large number of active sites, greater surface area, good oxidizer and greater stability of carbon nanotubes.