DC conduvtivity of V2O5TeO2 glasses

The dc conductivity of semiconducting vanadium tellurite glasses of compositions in the range 50 to 80 mol% V₂O₅ has been measured in the temperature region 77 to 400 K. Measurements have been made on annealed samples at different annealing temperatures. Annealing the samples at temperature of about 250°C causes the appearance of a complex crystalline phase resulting in an increase of conductivity. Results are reported for amorphous samples of different compositions. The conductivity of tellurite glasses is slightly higher than the corresponding composition of phosphate glasses, but the general trend of the increase of conductivity and decrease of high temperature activation energy with increasing V₂O₅ content is similar in the two systems. The data have been analysed in the light of existing models of polaronic hopping conduction. A definite conclusion about the mechanics of conduction (adiabatic or nonadiabatic) is difficult in the absence of a precise knowledge of the characteristic phonon frequency v₀. Adiabatic hopping is indicated for v₀～10¹¹ Hz, however this value leads to unreasonably low value for the Debye temperature θ_D, and higher values for v₀～10¹³ hz satifiies the conditions for nonadiabatic hopping which appears to be the likely mechanism of conduction in V₂O₅TeO₂ glasses. The low temperature data (< 100 K) can be fitted to Mott's variable range hopping, which when combined with ac conductivity data gives reasonable values of α, but a high value for the disorder energy.     

Electrical and dielectric properties of Sb2O3–V2O5–K2O glasses

Electric measurements, including temperature dependencies of direct electrical conductivity and temperature dependencies of complex electrical modulus, have been implemented using Sb₂O₃–V₂O₅–K₂O glass samples. These glasses absorb ambient humidity but their resistance to water attack depends on composition. The significant decrease of conductivity up to 100 °C can arise from water desorption. Cycling measurements of direct electrical conductivity versus temperature were also implemented. They show that the 30Sb₂O₃–30V₂O₅–40K₂O and 70Sb₂O₃–30K₂O glasses are irreversibly damaged with the formation of the hydrated layer. In addition, it was observed that the evolution of DC conductivity is ruled by Arrhenius relation, while activation energy decreases as Sb₂O₃ concentration increases.     

Study of electrical properties of MoO3–Fe2O3–P2O5 and SrO–Fe2O3–P2O5 glasses by impedance spectroscopy. II

The electrical and dielectric properties for three series of MoO₃–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ and one series of SrO–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ glasses were measured by impedance spectroscopy in the frequency range from 0.01 Hz to 3 MHz and over the temperature range from 303 to 473 K. It was shown in Part I that the MoO₃ is incorporated into phosphate network and the structure/properties are strongly influenced by the overall O/P ratio. The Fe₂O₃ content and Fe(II)/Fe_tot ratio in these glasses have significant effects on the electrical conductivity and dielectric permittivity. With decreasing Fe₂O₃ content in MoO₃–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ glasses with O/P at 3.5 the dc conductivity, σ_dc(ω) decreases for two orders of magnitude, which indicates that the conductivity for these glasses depends on Fe₂O₃ and is independent of the MoO₃ content. Also, the dielectric properties such as ^′(ω), ^″(ω) and σ_ac(ω) and their variation with frequency and temperature indicates a decrease in relaxation intensity with increase in the concentration of MoO₃. On the other hand, the dc conductivity for MoO₃–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ glasses with O/P > 3.5 increases with the substitution of MoO₃ which has been explained by an increase in the number of non-bridging oxygens and formation of Fe–O–P bonds that are responsible for formation of small polarons. The increase in the dielectric permittivity, ^′(ω) with increasing MoO₃ content is attributed to the increase in the deformation of glass network with increasing bonding defects. For SrO–Fe₂O₃–P₂O₅ glasses the conductivity and dielectric permittivity remained constant with increasing SrO.     

B NMR investigations in xV2O5–B2O3 and xV2O5–B2O3–PbO glasses

11B (I=3/2) MAS NMR in the binary glass system xV₂O₅–B₂O₃ (x=0.053, 0.43) and the ternary glass system xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO (0.1x1.5) has been investigated at room temperature. In the xV₂O₅–B₂O₃ glasses, one NMR line due to BO₃ unit was observed. Meanwhile in the xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO, two NMR lines which arise from BO₃ and BO₄ units were detected, where the appearance of BO₄ units is produced by the presence of PbO. From the computer-simulation of the ¹¹B NMR central transition line (m=−1/2↔1/2), the quadrupole parameters (e²qQ/h and η) for BO₃ units in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃, and those for BO₃ and BO₄ units in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO were obtained as a function of x. As the V₂O₅ content increases in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO, the e²qQ/h and η values of the BO₃⁻ associated resonance are found to slightly decrease and increase, respectively. Meanwhile, the e²qQ/h and η values of BO₄⁻ associated resonance in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO are found to slightly increase and decrease, respectively. By comparing the intensities of the total transitions (m=−3/2↔−1/2,m=−1/2↔1/2, and 1/2↔3/2) for the ¹¹B NMR line of BO₃ and BO₄ units contained in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO with those of respective standard samples of 0.053V₂O₅–B₂O₃ and NaBH₄, the quantitative fractions of BO₃ and BO₄ in xV₂O₅–B₂O₃–PbO were obtained as a function of x.     

Glass formation in the MoO3–Nd2O3–La2O3–B2O3 system

In MoO₃–Nd₂O₃–B₂O₃ and MoO₃–Nd₂O₃–La₂O₃–B₂O₃ systems, glasses were obtained in the region between 20 and 30 mol% Ln₂O₃. A liquid-phase separation region was observed near the MoO₃–B₂O₃ side up to 20 mol% Ln₂O₃ (La, Nd). The amorphous phases were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), UV–VIS and infrared spectroscopy (IR). According to DTA data B₂O₃-rich glasses are stable up to 630 °C while glasses rich in MoO₃ are stable up to 430 °C. The glasses are transparent in the visible region. Structural models for the glasses network were suggested on the basis of IR spectral investigations. It was established that BO₃ (1380 cm⁻¹), BO₄ (1100–950 cm⁻¹) and MoO₄ (860 cm⁻¹) groups build up the glass network. MoO₆ units (band at 880 cm⁻¹) together with BO₃ units participate in the formation of the glass network with a high MoO₃ content (80–90 mol%).     

Contact-limited conduction in V2O5P2O5 glasses

The electrical properties of V₂O₅P₂O₅ glass-electrode interfaces have been investigated. Gold, graphite and aluminium, in that order, form contacts of increasing resistance. The dependence of barrier height on the work function of the electrode material is not consistent with the concept of Schottky barriers at the interfaces. The phenomenon may be explained by the downward bending and filling of a narrow band normally situated in the vicinity of the Fermi level, caused by injection of electrons from the less noble metals. This gives rise to a surface layer, which can, in principle, be insulating. However, alternative mechanisms, in the case of the investigated glasses most probably a Poole-Frenkel type field enhanced conduction via separated traps, lead to finite interface resistance.     

Two-photon absorption in binary Bi2O3–B2O3 glass at 532 nm

Measurements of two-photon absorption (TPA) coefficients β at 532 nm in binary Bi₂O₃:B₂O₃ glasses are reported. The β obtained ranges from 12.9 to 16.4 cm/GW with the larger value observed in higher Bi₂O₃ glass. The relationship between β and glass composition is discussed in terms of the electronic structure of glasses: β can be scaled with optical band gap.     

Thermodynamic modeling of the Al2O3–B2O3–SiO2 system

A complete literature review, critical evaluation, and thermodynamic modeling of the phase diagrams and thermodynamic properties of all oxide phases in the ternary Al₂O₃–B₂O₃–SiO₂ system at 1 bar pressure are presented. The molten oxide phase is described by the Modified Quasichemical Model and the Gibbs energy of the mullite solid solution is modeled using the Compound Energy Formalism. A set of optimized internally consistent thermodynamic functions for all the phases is presented. With the thermodynamic dataset, all available and reliable thermodynamic and phase equilibrium data can be reproduced within experimental error limits from 25 °C to above the liquidus temperatures. In addition, the reasonable predictions obtained for phase relations in the experimentally unexplored composition ranges suggest that the thermodynamic database can be used along with appropriate Gibbs energy minimization routines to calculate thermodynamic properties, phase equilibria, and phase diagrams of interest.     

Glass formation in the PbBr2–PbCl2–PbF2–PbO–P2O5 system

New glasses in the PbBr₂–PbCl₂–PbF₂–PbO–P₂O₅ system have been prepared and characterized. The glass-forming regions have been explored and the stability of the glasses against crystallization studied. Results show that the PbBr₂–PbCl₂–P₂O₅ ternary system has a broad glass-forming region which extends to 30 mol% P₂O₅. Most of the glasses in this system show strong stability against crystallization and some have glass transition temperatures as low as 146°C. When 5% PbO or 5% PbF₂ is introduced into the PbBr₂–PbCl₂–P₂O₅ system, the glass-forming region becomes smaller and the glass transition temperatures increase. However, the introduction of 2.5% PbF₂ and 2.5% PbO into the ternary system increases the glass transition temperature and broadens the glass-forming region. The introduction of PbF₂ alone improves the glass-forming ability of the system while the introduction of PbO alone lowers the glass-forming ability.     

Nano-crystallization in LaF3–Na2O–Al2O3–SiO2 glass

Aiming at tailoring optical properties, the precipitation of LaF₃ nano-crystals in LaF₃–Na₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ glass-ceramics is studied thoroughly on the nano-scale using advanced transmission electron microscopic techniques. Nano-sized phase-separation droplets enriched in lanthanum and silicon are formed already in the base glass. Within these less than 20 nm large droplets, LaF₃ crystallizes upon heat treatment. The nano-crystallization mechanism revealed is self-limited since growth is restricted by the size of the droplets. An average crystallite size of around 12 nm is achieved with a narrow size distribution since the phase-separation droplets also contain silicon not incorporated into the growing crystal. Instead, excess silicon relocated to the periphery of the pre-existing phase-separation droplets forms a diffusion barrier around the LaF₃ nano-crystals preventing further crystal growth and/or ripening.     

Crystallization behavior and hydrophilic performances of V2O5–TiO2 films prepared by sol–gel dip-coating

Homogeneous and transparent V₂O₅–TiO₂ composite nanometer thin films were prepared on glass substrates by sol–gel processing and dip-coating technique. The films as well as the dried powder of bulk gel were characterized by different techniques like X-ray diffraction (XRD), high-resolution scanning electron microscopy (HRSEM), atomic force microscope (AFM) and thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA). The hydrophilicity of the films was determined by measuring the water contact angles on the films. The results showed that the dopant of V₂O₅ on TiO₂ thin films could produce a visible-light response to the films, and the introduction of V₂O₅ could suppress the structural phase transition and crystal growth of TiO₂ crystal. Finally, the relationship between crystalline size and hydrophilicity under sunlight was investigated in this article.     

The specific heat capacities of V2O5/P2O5-based glasses

The specific heat capacities of a series of V₂O₅/P₂O₅-based glasses have been measured in the approximate temperature range 3–300 K. The proportions of the host constituents were varied and the effects produced by adding oxides of copper, titanium and sodium were examined. The measurements were extended to investigate the influence of fast neutron irradiation upon the specific heat capacity of pure, initially crystalline V₂O₅.The observations are consistent with a spectrum of background vibrations, the form of which is temperature dependent. At intermediate temperatures the vibrations were consistent with the glasses displaying predominantly chain-like characteristics. With reduction to lower temperatures the vibrational behaviour increasingly resembled that of solids displaying three-dimensional characteristics. The temperature dependence of the specific heat capacity at the lowest temperatures was consistent with the presence of a narrow band of low-frequency modes centred upon 1.67 × 10¹¹ s^?1, the density of which increased with phosphorus content. From observations of the density of these modes in the doped specimens, it was concluded that the role of copper wass largely that of a network former, whereas titanium and sodium were essentially network modifiers.     

X-ray absorption and Raman characterizations of TeO2-Ga2O3 glasses

The thermodynamic properties of transparent glasses prepared in the TeO₂-Ga₂O₃ system were investigated by differential scanning calorimetry. The change of the thermal parameters as a function of the chemical composition is discussed. Raman and both Te L_III and Ga K edge X-ray absorption spectroscopies at room temperature were used to examine the short range order. Analyses of the spectra suggest that the addition of Ga₂O₃ content to the TeO₂ glass matrix induces the transformation of trigonal bipyramids (TeO₄E, E=lone electronic pair 5s² of Te) to trigonal pyramids (TeO₃E) with formation of Te-O-Ga bridging bonds. Furthermore, Ga K edge XANES and EXAFS studies show that Ga atoms exhibit both tetrahedral (GaO₄) and octahedral (GaO₆) environments.     

EPR study of RLi2O.V2O5, RNa2O.V2O5, RCaO.V2O5, and RBaO.V2O5 modified vanadate glass systems

Experimental EPR spectra in several modified vanadate glass systems reveal hyperfine structure (hfs) lines whose widths vary with the molar ratio of modifier to vanadium pentoxide, R. In the RNa₂O.V₂O₅ system, for example, hfs lines show no resolution at low R values (near 0.1); by contrast, these lines exhibit dramatic narrowing as R approaches 0.5. In the model proposed here, this narrowing is due to an increase in hopping time for small polarons associated with V⁴⁺ ions in these systems. Increases in polaron hopping times are accompanied by increases in electron spin-spin relaxation times T₂'s, and, an associated narrowing of EPR linewidths. Experiments confirm that spectral widths are limited by electron T₂'s due to the fact that EPR linewidths do not vary with temperature down to 4.2 K. Resolved spectra in RNa₂O.V₂O₅ at R = 0.5 reveal a hyperfine coupling parameter of 0.0177 ± 0.0008 T, corresponding to an upper-limit polaron hopping frequency of 487 ± 20 MHz. By similar analyses, the systems of RCaO.V₂O₅, RBaO.V₂O₅, and RLi₂O.V₂O₅ exhibit comparable polaron hopping frequencies limits of 480 ± 20 MHz, 469 ± 20 MHz, and 468 ± 20 MHz, respectively, when R is near 1.0. In addition to the relaxation effects discussed here, results of modeling of resolved spectra to obtain hyperfine coupling constants A_|| and A_┴, and g_┴ values g_|| and g_┴ are presented and discussed.     

Solidification of superalloy in a SiO2–ZrO2–B2O3 coating mould

The preparation of glass-lined coating mould from gels in the ternary system of SiO₂–ZrO₂–B₂O₃ has been investigated. The crystallization characterization and high temperature structure stability of this coating mould are demonstrated. We can find that the crystallization of t-ZrO₂ as well as the tetragonal to monoclinic phase transformation are, respectively, retarded and impeded owing to the encasement of SiO₂ matrix. While the inhibitive effect of B₂O₃ on crystallization of the SiO₂–ZrO₂–B₂O₃ coating mould is explained. Finally, DD3 single crystal superalloy melt can realize highly undercooled rapid solidification by adopting this coating mould, which further evinces that SiO₂–ZrO₂–B₂O₃ coating mould has an ideal nucleation inhibition for superalloy.     

Phase relations around langasite (La3Ga5SiO14) in the system La2O3–Ga2O3–SiO2 in air

Phase relations around langasite (LGS, La₃Ga₅SiO₁₄) were studied on the basis of phase assemblage observed during calcination and crystallization process of samples of various compositions in the ternary system La₂O₃–Ga₂O₃–SiO₂. A ternary compound of apatite structure, La₁₄Ga_xSi_9–xO_39–x/2 was found for the first time. Crystallization of this compound was observed in the cooling process of molten samples of stoichiometric LGS as well as LGS single crystal, demonstrating that LGS is an incongruent-melting compound. A phase diagram was established primarily based on the crystallization sequence in the cooling process.     

Characteristics of ZnO–B2O3–CaO–Na2O–P2O5 glass powders prepared by spray pyrolysis

Fine-sized ZnO–B₂O₃–CaO–Na₂O–P₂O₅ glass powders with spherical shape were directly prepared by high temperature spray pyrolysis. The ZnO–B₂O₃–CaO–Na₂O–P₂O₅ powders prepared by spray pyrolysis at temperatures above 1200 °C had broad peaks at around 30° in the XRD patterns. The glass transition temperatures (T_g) of the glass powders obtained by spray pyrolysis at preparation temperatures between 900 °C and 1400 °C were near 480 °C regardless of the preparation temperatures. The dielectric layers formed from the glass powders prepared by spray pyrolysis at preparation temperatures above 1300 °C had clean surface and dense inner structure at the firing temperature of 580 °C. The transmittance of the dielectric layer formed from the glass powders obtained by spray pyrolysis at preparation temperature of 1400 °C was 90% at the firing temperature of 580 °C, in which the thickness of the dielectric layer was 13 μm. The UV cutoff edges gradually shift towards longer wavelength with increasing the preparation temperature of glass powders and the firing temperature of dielectric layers.     

Cation site occupation by Ag/Na ion-exchange in R2O–Al2O3–SiO2 glasses

Ag⁺/Na⁺ ion-exchanged R₂O–Al₂O₃–SiO₂ glasses with uniform concentration profile of Ag⁺ and Na⁺ were prepared by heat treatment in molten silver salt followed by holding at the same temperature in an ambient atmosphere. Their glass transition temperature (T_g) and thermal expansion coefficient (TEC) were measured and structures were investigated using ²⁹Si-MAS NMR, ²⁷Al-MAS NMR, IR and Raman spectroscopies. Both T_g and TEC decreased with increase of the exchange ratio, but T_g was still above the ion-exchange temperature of 400°C even for the fully exchanged sample. The ²⁹Si- and ²⁷Al-MAS NMR spectra were mostly unchanged and no sign of the structural alteration of the glass network was observed. On the other hand, the vibrational spectra showed remarkable peak shifts depending on the exchange ratio. From these structural results, it was found that when the exchange ratio was low, the introduced Ag⁺ ions were stabilized at the non-bridging oxygen (NBO) site, and then Na⁺ ions in AlØ₄ site were exchanged by Ag⁺ ions after full replacement of NBO sites, where Ø represents the bridging oxygen.     

Quenched glasses in the systems of Li2O with Al2O3, Ga2O3 and Bi2O3

By rapid quenching in a twin roller apparatus, glass was found to occur widely in the systems of Li₂O with Al₂O₃, Ga₂O₃, Bi₂O₃ and in mixed systems. Examination of the resulting flakes by X-ray powder diffraction, differential thermal analysis, and capacitance data revealed the occurrence of glass, glass transitions, crystallization exotherms and the nature of some of the crystallization paths.The log ionic conductivity of the glasses was found to follow a linear relationship with the Li concentration. Evidence was observed for three new metastable crystalline phases, one in the Li₂OAl₂O₃ system and two in the Li₂OBi₂O₃ system. The latter system also showed evidence for the occurrence of two glasses at almost all compositions.