Glass formation and spectral studies of PbO and Bi2O3 modified TeO2-ZnO glasses

Tellurite glasses from TeO2-Bi2O3-ZnO-PbO quaternary system were prepared using a conventional melt quenching method and its glass-forming region corresponding to 10% molar of ZnO was determined. A series of transparent glass samples were selected and their structure information were investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry, Raman scattering, Infrared spectroscopy and UV visible absorption spectroscopy were applied to study the glass transition and crystallization temperature, structural and optical properties. The linear refractive indexes at 632.8 nm, 1064 nm and 1552 nm were tested. And the main objective of this study was to investigate the different influence of PbO and Bi2O3 on the structure and optical properties of the glass. Consequently, lead acts as a network modifier even at low content. Although, it could form PbO4 tetrahedra when its content is > 14%, it only can be asserted that lead acts as an intermediate role between modifier and network former at high lead content.