Effect of ZnO addition and concurrent reduction of V2O5 on network formation and elastic properties of lead vanadate (55 − x)V2O5–45PbO–(x)ZnO glass system

Elastic properties of lead vanadate (55 − x)V2O5–45PbO–(x)ZnO glasses were investigated using ultrasonic velocity measurements by pulse-echo-overlap technique at room temperature. Results from the study showed that both longitudinal and shear velocities decreased at x = 5 mol% with the increase of ZnO concentration. The independent longitudinal and shear moduli, CL and μ and Young's modulus (Y) also showed decreasing trend at x = 5 mol% as the fraction of ZnO increases. FTIR analysis showed an increase in non-bridging oxygen (NBO) as indicated by the increase in intensity of VO4 assigned peaks at x = 5 mol% while the increase in intensity of VO5 assigned peaks at x > 5 mol% indicates increasing bridging oxygen (BO). Analysis of the experimental results using the bulk compression and ring deformation models showed that the calculated value of Kbc was higher than that of Ke but Kbc/Ke ratio drops from 2.16 (x = 5 mol%) to 1.94 (x = 10 mol%) indicating that bond bending or ring deformation was slightly reduced with addition of ZnO.

► Elastic properties of (55 − x)V2O5–45PbO–(x)ZnO glasses were investigated. ► Longitudinal and shear moduli decreased at x = 5 mol% but recovered at x > 5 mol%. ► FTIR showed increased formation of non-bridging oxygen at x = 5 mol%. ► On the other hand, increased bridging oxygen was observed at x > 5 mol%. ► Bulk compression model analysis indicates reduction of ring deformation with ZnO.