Role of oxygen on the optical properties of borate glass doped with ZnO

Lithium tungsten borate glass (0.56−x)B2O3–0.4Li2O–xZnO–0.04WO3 (0≤x≤0.1 mol%) is prepared by the melt quenching technique for photonic applications. Small relative values of ZnO are used to improve the glass optical dispersion and to probe as well the role of oxygen electronic polarizability on its optical characteristics. The spectroscopic properties of the glass are determined in a wide spectrum range (200–2500 nm) using a Fresnel-based spectrophotometric technique. Based on the Lorentz–Lorenz theory, as ZnO content increases on the expense of B2O3 the glass molar polarizability increased due to an enhanced unshared oxide ion 2p electron density, which increases ionicity of the chemical bonds of glass. The role of oxide ion polarizability is explained in accordance with advanced measures and theories such as optical basicity, O 1s binding energy, the outer most cation binding energy in Yamashita–Kurosawa's interionic interaction parameter and Sun's average single bond strength. FT-IR measurements confirm an increase in bridging oxygen bonds, as a result of replacement of ZnO by B2O3, which increase the UV glass transmission window and transmittance.

O1s, Yamashita–Kurosawa's parameter and average single bond strength of charge overlapping between electronic shells are used to explain enhanced oxide ion 2p electron density, which increases refractive index of glasses.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► New borate glass for photonic application is prepared.
► The dispersion property of the glass is effectively controlled using small amounts of ZnO.
► ZnO is used to probe the glass structure and investigate the role of oxygen on the obtained optical properties of the glasses.
► Modern theories are used to explain enhanced unshared oxide ion 2p electron density, which increases ionicity of chemical bonds of the glass.