Effect of WO3 on structural and optical properties of CeO2–PbO–B2O3 glasses

Pure and WO3 doped CeO2–PbO–B2O3 glasses are prepared by the melt-quench technique. The structural and optical analyses of glasses are carried out by XRD, FTIR, density and UV–vis spectroscopic measurement techniques. FTIR analysis indicates the transformation of structural units of BO3 into BO4 with W–O–W vibration and the presence of WO4 and WO6 units observed with increase in WO3 contents. Decrease in band gap for CeO2–PbO–B2O3 glasses from 2.89 to 2.30 eV and for WO3 doped glasses from 2.89 to 1.95 eV has been observed and discussed. This decrease in band gap with WO3 doping approaches to semiconductor behavior. It shows that the presence of WO3 in the glass samples causes more compaction of the borate network due to the formation of BO4 groups and the presence of WO4 and WO6 groups, which result in a decrease in the optical band gap energy and increase in the density.

Research Highlights
► Shrinkage of band gap of glasses shows semiconducting behaviour with WO3 doping.
► Optical band edge shows more red shift with the Co-doping of cerium & tungsten.
► Formation of tetrahedral BO4 groups, conversion of WO4 to WO6 with tungsten doping.
► The higher value of density is due the formation of BO4, WO4 and WO6 groups.