Induced crystallization and physical properties of Li2O–CaF2–P2O5:TiO2 glass system: Part I. Characterization, spectroscopic and elastic properties

Li2O–CaF2–P2O5 glasses mixed with different concentrations of TiO2 (ranging from 0 to 0.8 mol%) were crystallized at 500 °C. The samples are characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and differential thermal analysis techniques. Spectroscopic properties (IR and Raman) and elastic properties (viz., Young's modulus E, shear modulus G and micro-hardness H) at room temperature are studied. The X-ray diffraction and the scanning electron microscopic studies revealed the presence of lithium phosphate, lithium titanium phosphate and titanium phosphate crystal phases. The differential thermal analysis traces of these samples exhibit three crystalline temperatures. The IR and Raman spectra of these samples have exhibited bands due to TiO4 and TiO6 structural units in addition to the conventional bands due to various phosphate structural groups. The analysis of these results indicated that the sample crystallized with 0.6 mol% of TiO2 possesses the highest density, high mechanical strength and more compact network.