ESR and photoacoustic spectra of V2O5?MO2 (M = Se, Te, Ge) glasses

ESR spectra of V₂O₅?MO₂ (M = Ge, Se, Te) glasses are investigated in the range 298–498 K. The spectra at 298 K are characteristic of V⁴⁺ with the 3d¹ electron localized on a single ${}^{51}\text{V}\text{(I =}\text{7}\text{2}$) in the glass network. At higher temperature, the hyperfine structure progressively broadens, leading eventually to a broad, single ESR peak. These results are consistent with thermally-induced electron hopping from V⁴⁺ to V⁵⁺. Photoacoustic spectra of the glass at 298 K are characteristic of V⁴⁺ in a distorted octa environment. A correlation of ESR and PAS data suggests that covalency increased as M is charged from Ge through Te to Se.