Dielectric properties and conductivity in CuO and MoO3 doped borophosphate glasses

A novel set of glasses of the type (B2O3)0.10–(P2O5)0.40–(CuO)0.50−x–(MoO3)x, 0.05≤x≥0.50, have been investigated for dielectric properties in the frequency range 100 Hz–100 kHz and temperature range 300–575 K. From the total conductivity derived from the dielectric spectrum the frequency exponent, s, and dc and ac components of the conductivity were determined. The temperature dependence of dc and ac conductivities at different frequencies was analyzed using Mott's small polaron hopping model, and the high temperature activation energies have been estimated and discussed. The observed initial decrease in conductivity (ac and dc) and increase in activation energy with the addition of MoO3 have been understood to be due to the hindrance offered by the Mo+ ions to the electronic motions. The observed peak-like behavior in conductivity (dip-like behavior in activation energy) in the composition range 0.20–0.50 mol fractions of MoO3 may be due to mixed transition effect occurring in the present glasses. The temperature dependence of frequency exponent, s, has been analyzed using different theoretical models. It is for the first time that the mixed transition metal ion (TMI) doped borophosphate glasses have been investigated for dielectric properties and conductivity over wide temperature and frequency ranges and the data have been subjected to a thorough analysis.