Manifestation and Role of B2O3 in High Lead Containing Silicate Glasses

Abstract

Glass matrices of nominal composition 90% PbO-10% SiO2 with progressive partial replacement of PbO by B2O3 have been prepared using the conventional melting and annealing method. Collective Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and optical absorption spectral measurements recorded before and after irradiation with a final gamma ray dose (8 Mrad) were employed to manifest the role of B2O3 on the studied properties of high lead silicate glasses. Optical spectra reveal extended UV/vis. absorption spectral bands resulting from absorption from both lead ions and trace iron impurities. FTIR absorption spectral measurements indicate the appearance of compact mid IR spectra correlated with the presence of multifunctional mixed vibrating groups including SiO4, BO3, BO4 and PbO4. The application of the deconvolution analysis technique (DAT) enables the identification of mixed or hidden peaks associated with different vibrational modes due to the expected structural groups from silicate and Pb-O linkages. Gamma irradiation of glasses produces stable and slightly affected spectral bands which can be assigned to the presence of lead oxide in high percent which causes shielding and retarding characteristics towards gamma irradiation to reduce passage of generated positive holes and electrons throughout the irradiation process.