The effect of V2O5 on alkaline earth zinc borate glasses studied by EPR and optical absorption

10 wt% SrO:30 wt% ZnO:60 wt% B2O3 incorporated with different vanadyl concentrations were studied by means of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and optical absorption techniques. The spin-Hamiltonian parameters (g and A), bonding parameters (α2 and β2∗2) and Fermi contact interaction parameter K have been calculated. The values of spin-Hamiltonian parameters indicate that the VO2+ ions in strontium zinc borate glasses were present in octahedral sites with tetragonal compression. The spin concentration (N) participating in resonance was calculated as a function of temperature (93–273 K) for strontium zinc borate glass sample containing 0.9 wt% of VO2+ ions and the activation energy (Ea) was calculated. From the EPR data, the paramagnetic susceptibility (χ) was calculated at various temperatures and the Curie constant (C) was evaluated from the 1/χ–T graph. The optical absorption spectra of VO2+ ions in these glasses show two bands corresponding to the transitions 2B2g → 2B1g and 2B2g → 2Eg in the order of decreasing energy respectively. The optical band gap energies (Eopt) and Urbach energy (ΔE) have been determined from their ultraviolet edges. The theoretical values of optical basicity (Λth) of these glasses have also been evaluated.

► The EPR spectrum of SrZB:V2O5 glass shows, g|| < g⊥ < ge and A|| > A⊥. ► It gives an octahedral site with tetragonal compression. ► The activation energy has been calculated from log N vs 1/T graph (Boltzmann law). ► The optical spectrum of the glasses shows two absorption bands 685 nm and 825 nm. ► The optical band gap energies (Eopt) and Urbach energy (ΔE) have been calculated.