Structure of SnF2-SnO-P2O5 Glasses

Low melting point glasses, specifically tin fluorophosphates, have recently received attention as a successful host matrix to rare earth metals to be used in photon conversion for solar cell applications. We have used high resolution X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Raman microscopy to investigate the structure of 50SnF2-20SnO-30P2O5 glass. To compliment this experimental study density functional theory was used to predict Raman spectra. The O 1s X-ray photoelectron spectra indicate a high non-bridging to bridging oxygen ratio, a sign of relatively high durability needed for this glass to be applied to solar energy. The experimental results are in good agreement with theoretical calculations.