Investigation of Effects of ZrO2 Doping on Electrical Properties of Soda Lime Silicate Glasses Using Dielectric Spectroscopy

The influence of the ZrO2 doping content on the electrical and dielectric properties of soda lime silicate glasses has been investigated through the impedance spectroscopy technique based on dielectric measurements carried out in the frequency range from 0.1 MHz to 1 MHz at temperatures ranging between -20 degrees C and 150 degrees C. The experimental results depict an overall decrease in the electrical parameters [dielectric constant, loss, and alternating-current (AC) conductivity] when ZrO2 was present in the soda lime glass, revealing a blockage of the easy pathways available for charge carrier (Na+) migration, subsequently yielding a reduction in their contribution to the space-charge polarization. This interpretation was also confirmed by the equivalent circuit suggested by ZView software. The resistivity actually increased with increasing ZrO2 content. This result indicates that the internal structure of the soda lime silicate glass becomes more polymerized, electrically rigid, and resistant to the flow of free charge carriers in the presence of ZrO2. Additional measurements using infrared (IR) spectroscopy were used to validate these findings.

Automated summary

The study revealed that the ZrO2 doping content has a significant influence on the electrical and dielectric properties of soda lime silicate glass, leading to a decrease in electrical parameters and an increase in resistivity. The addition of ZrO2 makes the internal structure of the glass more polymerized, electrically rigid, and resistant to the flow of free charge carriers.