Electrical, dielectric and optical properties of La2O3 doped lithium borate glasses

•The calculated Ea(dc) and Ea(τ) for each composition are close to each other indicates that ions have to overcome the same barrier while conducting as well as when relaxing.•Scaling of the prepared glass series shows that dynamical processes are independent of temperature.•The reduction in the optical band gap is due to structural changes while higher values of EF (⪢kBT) are in good agreement with density and conductivity results.

Effect of La2O3 addition on electrical and optical properties of lithium borate glass has been studied in the present work. Glass system with general formula 27.5 Li2O–(72.5−X) B2O3–X La2O3 was prepared by normal melting process. Electrical properties were studied by impedance spectroscopy. Scaling behavior was introduced to study dynamical process. In order to study optical properties, absorption spectra were measured at room temperature. Direct and indirect optical band gap, Urbach energy and Fermi energy were calculated from absorption spectra using functionality of extinction coefficient from Fermi–Dirac distribution function. Optical parameter shows the dependence on physical properties i.e. density and molar volume. There is good correlation between electrical and optical properties.

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