Synthesis and physical characterization of gamma irradiated cadmium phosphate glass modified by copper oxide

The irradiation of Cu-doped Cd-phosphate glass mediated by gamma rays shows the conversion of Cu2+ <-> Cu+ ion with subsequent glass defects which leads to the loss of glass structure. The physical evaluations encompassing FTIR studies, X-ray diffraction analysis, UV spectrophotometer analysis, EPR, differential scanning colorimetry, and elastic properties are performed. The optical band gap (E-g) values for both direct and indirect transition and refractive index are evaluated for varying irradiation doses and correlated with the data obtained for optical spectra, ultrasonic wave velocities and elastic moduli. Further, the evaluations such as optical basicity and average electro negativity have been determined. The obtained optical basicity values increases with concurrent increase in the dose of radiation, however the values of electron negativity have not displayed such variations. After irradiation at various doses, there is a significant elevation in non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms which lead to decreased glass polymerization, reduced glass stability and aids the formation of copper ions aggregates. The above stated process highly alters the structure and optical properties of glass which is confirmed by the results of the optical absorption, FTIR and EPR spectral analysis. The force constant values and the bond strength between Cu-O are lower as compared to P-O, which further decreases the glass rigidity thus decrease in glass rigidity affects the ultrasonic velocity, E-g and T-g. The thermal stability values of studied glass decreased with subsequent increases in the dose of irradiation. Thus this glass displays specific optical characteristic and thus can be employed as a bandpass filters.