Compositional dependence of structure, optical and electrochemical properties of antimony(III) oxide doped lead glasses and vitroceramics

Abstract

New xSb2O3∙(100−x)[4PbO2∙Pb] antimony-lead oxide glasses and vitroceramics with x=0–20mol% Sb2O3 were prepared by melt-quenching method. Structural and behavioral investigation of samples was performed by XRD, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Effects induced by increasing the Sb2O3 content of samples on their structure, optical and electrochemical properties are discussed.XRD data reveal that for samples with x≥15mol% Sb2O3 vitroceramics were obtained. The crystalline phase was identified as the β-Sb2O4 built up of [SbVO6] and [SbIIIO4E] structural units. In agreement with the XRD data, FTIR spectroscopy investigation shows that increasing the Sb2O3 content of the antimony-lead glasses produces structural modifications of the host matrix.UV–vis data show that the Sb2O3 content of the samples and the valence state of antimony plays a significant role in improving the gap energy. Thus, the incorporation of Sb2O3 up to 15mol% decreases abruptly the gap energy due to the tendency of Sb+3 ions to be oxidized to Sb+5 ions. This process increases the amount of carriers in the host network.Cyclic voltammograms of antimony-lead glasses exhibit a good reversibility and show an improved electrochemical performance in comparison with that of lead glasses. The antimony-lead glasses are potential candidates as electrodes for rechargeable batteries.