IR-spectral investigation of the structure of glasses in the Fe2O3-V2O5 system

The structure of glasses in the Fe₂O₃-V₂O₅ system in the 0–50 mol% Fe₂O₃ range is studied by IR-spectroscopy. It is found that the introduction of Fe₂O₃ favours the transformation of the VO₅-groups into VO₄ ones. This effect may be shown with the aid of IR-spectra, owing to the fact that these glasses are characterized by two high-frequency bands at 1020 and 930 cm^–1. The first is determined by the vibrations of the short V=O nonbridging bonds in the VO₅-groups, while the second is assigned to the vibrations of the V—O-bonds in deformed VO₄-tetrahedra.

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IR-spektroskopische Strukturuntersuchung von Gläsern des Systems Fe₂O₃-V₂O₅

Zusammenfassung Die Struktur von Gläsern des Systems Fe₂O₃-V₂O₅ in dem Bereich von 0–50 Molprozent Fe₂O₃ wurde mit Hilfe der IR-Spektroskopie untersucht. Zusatz von Fe₂O₃ begünstigt die Umwandlung der VO₅- in VO₄-Gruppen. Das kann in den IR-Spektren durch zwei Banden bei 1020 und 930 cm^–1 festgestellt werden. Die erste wird durch Schwingungen der kurzen V=O-Nichtbrücken-bindungen in den VO₅-Gruppen verursacht, die zweite wird auf Schwingungen der V—O-Bindungen in dem deformierten VO₄-Tetraeder zurückgeführt.

     

Hydrogen-Related Paramagnetic Centers in Ge-Doped Sol-Gel Silica Induced by γ-Ray Irradiation

We have studied the generation mechanisms of H(II) paramagnetic centers in Ge-doped silica by investigating up to 10⁴ mol ppm sol-gel Ge-doped silica materials. We have considered materials with the same concentrations of Ge but that are produced by two different densification routes that give rise to different concentrations of Ge-related oxygen deficient centers (GeODC(II)). These centers are characterized by an optical absorption band at ∼5.2 eV (B_2β band) and two related emissions at ∼3.2 eV and ∼4.3 eV. The GeODC(II) content was estimated by absorption and emission measurements. The H(II) centers were induced by room temperature γ-ray irradiation and their concentration was determined by electron paramagnetic resonance measurements. The comparison between the two kinds of materials, obtained by different preparations, shows that the GeODC(II) concentration increases with the Ge content and is enhanced by vacuum densification. The comparison of irradiated samples shows that beyond the already known process of conversion of preexisting GeODC(II) into H(II) centers, another generation process of H(II) centers is effective that involves irradiation induced GeODC(II).     

Solid State NMR and TG/MS Study on the Transformation of Methyl Groups During Pyrolysis of Preceramic Precursors to SiOC Glasses

The sol-gel method was used to prepare two different starting gels containing SiCH₃-groups for the preparation of SiOC ceramics. To understand the role of Si—H bonds in the incorporation of carbon into the SiOC network, gels prepared from a 1:2 mixture of triethoxysilane and methyldiethoxysilane (T^HD^H2) and solely methyltriethoxysilane (T^Me) were investigated. Thermogravimetric analysis coupled with mass spectroscopy (TG-MS) in inert atmosphere was performed to attain an insight into the decomposition reactions involved during gel-glass transformation. Samples calcined at different temperatures up to 1000°C were characterized by ²⁹Si and ¹³C magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS-NMR) spectroscopy. The presence of SiH groups in the starting gel allows an efficient conversion of Si—CH₃ groups into CSi₄ sites at lower temperatures. As a result, despite a much lower amount of carbon in the starting T^HD^H2 gel (C/Si = 0.33) compared to the T^Me gel (C/Si = 1), the amount of carbon inserted into the SiOC network of both glasses is equivalent, but the T^Me sample contains the 10 fold amount of free carbon.     

Investigations of the local distortions and EPR parameters for Cu2+ in xNa2O‐(30–x)K2O‐70B2O3 (5 ≤ x ≤ 25 mol%) glasses

The local distortions and electron paramagnetic resonance parameters for Cu²⁺ in the mixed alkali borate glasses xNa₂O‐(30–x)K₂O‐70B₂O₃ (5 ≤ x ≤ 25 mol%) are theoretically studied with distinct modifier Na₂O compositions x. Owing to the Jahn–Teller effect, the octahedral [CuO₆]¹⁰⁻ clusters show significant tetragonal elongation ratios p ~19% along the C₄ axis. With the increase of composition x, the cubic field parameter Dq and the orbital reduction factor k exhibit linearly and quasi‐linearly decreasing tendencies, respectively, whereas the relative tetragonal elongation ratio p has quasi‐linearly increasing rule with some fluctuations, leading to the minima of g factors at x = 10 mol%. The composition dependences of the optical spectra and the electron paramagnetic resonance parameters are suitably reproduced by the linear or quasi‐linear relationships of the relevant quantities (i.e., Dq, k, and p) with x. The above composition dependences are analyzed from mixed alkali effect, which brings forward the modifications of the local crystal‐fields and the electronic cloud distribution around Cu²⁺ with the variation of the composition of Na₂O.     

An investigation on visible luminescence of Ho activated LBTAF glasses

Different concentrations of Ho³⁺-doped lead borate titanate aluminum fluoride (LBTAFHo) glasses with chemical composition of PbO-H₃BO₃-TiO₂-AlF₃-Ho₂O₃ were prepared by the melt quenching method. The spectral properties were investigated using the absorption, emission and decay measurements. The experimental oscillator strengths were calculated from the area under the absorption bands. Applying Judd-Ofelt theory, the intensity parameters (Ω_{λ=2, 4, 6}) were calculated, by the least square fit approach from which the radiative transition rates, luminescence branching ratios and radiative decay times were determined. The photoluminescence spectra revealed the quenching of luminescence intensity beyond 1.0 mol% of Ho³⁺ ion concentration. To investigate the luminescence potentiality of ⁵F₄→⁵I₈ emission level, the effective bandwidth and the stimulated emission cross-section were determined. The quenching in experimental decay time is attributed to the resonance energy transfer among the excited Ho³⁺ ions.     

Formation of a crosslinked POSS network by an unusual hydrosilylation: Thermo‐oxidative stabilization of the α‐cristobalite phase in its amorphous regions

A semicrystalline inorganic–organic hybrid crosslinked network containing polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane (POSS) cores was constructed by the unusual hydrosilylation of the terminal vinyl groups of an internal acetylene‐containing silane linker by a POSS monomer. Products from the thermal treatments of this network in either argon or air at 250, 550, and 1000 °C, respectively, were characterized by Fourier transform infrared, Solid‐state ¹³C and ²⁹Si magic angle spinning NMR, X‐ray diffraction and XPS analyses. The highly symmetrically functionalized POSS silica clusters, in the fluorite silica phase, in the network were found to remain unchanged on thermal treatment possibly due to the shielding of the silica core by the functionalities and a cancellation of thermal stresses on the silica core. Stabilization of the metastable α‐cristobalite phase, which is typically formed on cooling by a β‐ to α‐transition of the β‐cristobalite phase formed above 1400 °C, was observed in the amorphous regions in the network sample treated only to 1000 °C in air. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2012     

Spectroscopic Investigation of Tungsten Ions in Lead Scandium Phosphate Glass System

Lead scandium phosphate glasses (PbO-Sc₂O₃-P₂O₅) containing different concentrations of tungsten oxide (WO₃) ranging from 0 to 5 mol% were prepared. A number of studies, viz. differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectra, optical absorption, and electron spin resonance (ESR) spectra, have been carried out. The results of DTA indicated the highest glass forming ability for the glass containing 5 mol% of WO₃. The results of spectroscopic studies have been analyzed in light of different oxidation states of tungsten ions.     

Influence of Carbon Multiple Treatments on the Photoelectrical Properties of Porous Glasses

We have studied the influence of multiple carbon treatments on the properties of silica porous glasses. Each step of each carbon treatment started with filling the voids of porous glass with carbon. During the following anneal carbon interacted with the walls of the voids. It was shown that low dimensional silicon clusters were formed inside the voids as a result of this reaction. In the experiments the photoluminescence spectra and conductivity of carbon-processed specimens were measured. The size-distribution of voids in porous glasses was calculated from absorption—desorption isotherms. An original technique was proposed that allowed to obtain the size-distribution of silicon clusters from the positions of peaks in the photoluminescence spectra. Correlation between the photoluminescence intensity and the sizes of pores was revealed. The observed oscillations in the shapes of the photoluminescence spectra in subsequent cycles of carbon treatment are explained by changes of the number of clusters corresponding to definite peaks in the size distribution spectra.     

Hydrogen-induced dynamic slowdown of metallic glass-forming liquids

Dynamics of hydrogen doped Cu_(50) Zr_(50) glass-forming liquids are investigated by using the newly developed modified embedded atomic method(MEAM) potential based on molecular dynamics simulations. We find that the doping of hydrogen atoms slows down the relaxation dynamics, reduces the fragility of supercooled melts, and promotes the occurrence of glass transitions. The dynamic slowdown is suggested to be closely related to the effect of hydrogen atoms on locally ordered structure of melts. With increasing concentration of hydrogen, the five-fold symmetry associated with Cu-and Zr-centered polyhedrons is lowered, on the other hand, the local order featuring metal hydrides is enhanced. The latter dominates the dynamic behaviors of glass-forming liquids, especially for Zr atoms, and results in the dynamic slowdown.     

Effects of laser irradiation on optical properties of a-Se100−x Te x thin films

The effect of laser irradiation on the optical properties of thermally evaporated Se_100?x Te _x (x=8, 12, 16) chalcogenide thin films has been studied. The result shows that the irradiation causes a shift in the optical gap. The results have been analyzed on the basis of laser irradiation-induced defects in the film. The width of the tail of localized state in the band gap has been evaluated using the Urbach edge method. As the irradiation time increases, the values of the optical energy gap for all compositions decrease, while tail energy width increases. It is also observed that the optical energy gap decreases with increasing Te content in the alloy. These changes are a consequence of an increment in disorder produced by laser irradiation in the amorphous structure of thin film.