MoO3 as a structure modifier of glasses from P2O5–SiO2–K2O–MgO–CaO system

•Glasses from the P2O5–SiO2–K2O–CaO–MgO–MoO3 system were prepared and analysed.•Glasses were characterised by spectroscopic methods and physical parameters.•The increase of MoO3 in the structure results in their framework depolymerisation.

Infrared spectroscopy and density are advantageous tools for the investigations of glasses and they have been used to obtain information concerning the local structure of phosphate–silicate glasses from P2O5–SiO2–K2O–MgO–CaO system modified with the addition of MoO3. It has been found that MoO3 plays the network modifier role in the studied glasses which follows from the gradual breakage of oxygen bridges, i.e. P–O–P, Si–O–Si and/or Si–O–P, and the following formation of connections such as Mo[MoO4]–O–Si and/or Mo[MoO4]–O–P. In summary, it is concluded that the increase of MoO3 content in the structure of glasses of P2O5–SiO2–K2O–MgO–CaO system results in weakening of the structure, resulting in their frameworks depolymerisation.

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