Effect of europium on the structural and thermal properties of pristine iron phosphate glass

In the present study, effect of europium on the structural and thermal properties of iron phosphate glass was studied and compared with that of pristine iron phosphate glass. Europium-loaded iron phosphate glass [composition-3 mass% Eu2O3-97 mass% (40 mol% Fe2O3-60 mol% P2O5)] was synthesized by conventional melt quench technique, and its amorphous nature was ascertained by X-ray diffraction method. The presence of europium in iron phosphate glass lowered the glass stability and glass forming ability of pristine iron phosphate glass. The presence of europium also resulted in lower specific heat capacity and higher thermal expansion. This is due to the depolymerization of glass network connectivity in the presence of europium, which was further confirmed from the Raman spectra. However, the major network linkage is pyrophosphate as that of pure iron phosphate glass.

Automated summary

The effect of europium on the structural and thermal properties of iron phosphate glass was studied in this research. It was found that the presence of europium lowered the glass stability and glass forming ability, and resulted in lower specific heat capacity and higher thermal expansion. Raman spectra confirmed the depolymerization of glass network connectivity in the presence of europium.