Correlation between glass transition effect and structural changes in multicomponent iron phosphate-silicate glasses

Iron phosphate-silicate glasses from P₂O₅–SiO₂–K₂O–MgO–CaO–Fe₂O₃ system were subjected to the thermal and spectroscopic studies in order to gain information about their structure and thermal behavior in the range of glass transition effect. Research includes results obtained via DSC, MIR and DRIFT spectroscopy. Designated values of glass transition temperature and specific heat change slightly increases with Fe₂O₃ incorporation. Spectra collected during thermal treatment of glasses containing 2 and 30 mol% Fe₂O₃ exhibited various changes. Fe₂O₃ addition affected the glass structure by its reinforcement and led to its preservation during thermal treatment. The connection between density, molar volume, oxygen packing density and the chemical composition’s alteration were also established because of the direct dependence of physical properties and the structure. Obtained results supported thermal and spectroscopic studies. Conducted research is considered as a contribution to the knowledge about the family of iron phosphate glasses, which are known from their interesting properties and widely used applications.