The increasing demand for efficient, lightweight, and lead-reduced radiation shielding materials has driven significant interest in heavy metal oxide (HMO) glass systems. In this study, the radiation attenuation behavior of zirconia (ZrO₂)-doped B₂O₃–Bi₂O₃–MgO–PbO glass systems is investigated using advanced computational techniques, namely XCOM and Phy-X/PSD simulation tools. The primary objective is to evaluate how the incorporation of ZrO₂ modifies the gamma-ray shielding performance, density-dependent attenuation mechanisms, and effective atomic number of the glass matrix.

The study builds upon established findings that Bi₂O₃- and PbO-based glass systems exhibit strong photon interaction probabilities due to their high atomic numbers, making them suitable for nuclear shielding applications (Alsaif et al., 2021). However, issues such as structural instability and toxicity necessitate compositional optimization. Zirconia doping is introduced as a structural modifier to enhance durability and improve photon attenuation synergy.

Computational results indicate that ZrO₂ significantly enhances mass attenuation coefficients (MAC), reduces half-value layer (HVL), and improves effective removal cross-sections for neutron-like interactions. The combined use of XCOM and Phy-X/PSD enables accurate theoretical modeling of photon interaction processes across a broad energy range. Comparative evaluation with previously reported Bi₂O₃-based systems confirms improved shielding performance and structural stability.

The findings suggest that ZrO₂-doped B₂O₃–Bi₂O₃–MgO–PbO glasses are promising candidates for next-generation radiation shielding materials in medical, nuclear, and industrial environments.