A vibrational spectroscopy study of the structure of binary thorium fluorohafnate glasses

Abstract

Binary glasses have been prepared in the HfF 4ThF 4 system, containing ∼ 32–43 mol.% HfF 4. Glass transition and crystallization temperatures have been determined by Differential Thermal Analysis. Infrared absorption and polarized Raman spectra have been measured at room temperature. The results have been compared with those previously obtained for HfF 4BaF 2 glasses and those of crystalline HfF 4 and ThF 4. A vibrational mode assignment has been made. While HfF 4BaF 2 glasses had a predominantly one-dimensional structure, the absence of a modifier in the HfF 4ThF 4 system led to a three-dimensional network and a decrease in the glass-forming ability. The most probable coordination numbers for Hf and Th atoms are also discussed.