Structural investigations of borate incorporated germanium antimonate glasses

Abstract

Germanium containing borate-based glass samples with the chemical formula (80–x)GeO2–10Sb2O3–10Na2O + xB2O3, where 0 ≤ x ≤ 40 mol% were fabricated for the generation of prominent infrared lasers. The detailed structural and physical properties of the synthesized glass samples were explored in order to know the possible compatibility for the optical applications. In addition to B2O3, the density, thermal stabilities were observed to decrease, and the molar volume increased. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analyses revealed the glassy nature of the prepared samples. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis reported the presence of various functional groups in the glass network. Differential thermal (DTA) analysis determines the characteristic temperatures of prepared glasses. Raman scattering data show the existence of Ge–O–Ge, Sb–O–Ge and Sb–O–B bonds in the glass structure. The overall results suggested the alteration of glass matrix structure with the borate content in the germanium antimonate network.