Physical, optical, spectroscopic features of Li2B4O7-Bi2O3-Sb2O3 glass system reinforced with molybdenum ions

To comprehend the physical, optical and spectroscopic properties of a novel multicomponent glass system with compositional formula 60Li2B4O7-30Bi2O3-(10-x)Sb2O3-xMoO3 (x = 0, 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mol%) has been synthesized by melt quench process. The lack of intense peaks in the XRD confirmed the glassy nature of the prepared samples. On Substitution of Sb2O3 with MoO3 in lithium tetraborate-bismuthate glasses, a linear decrease in the density and an increase in the molar volume has been noticed. Physical parameters like oxygen packing density, oxygen molar volume and packing density have been computed. Optical energy bandgap evaluated from UV-Visible absorption spectra, declined with increase of MoO3. Refractive indices exhibited opposite trend with optical energy bandgap and opens applications for non-linear optical devices. Vibrational modes in the as- prepared glasses have been identified by FTIR and Raman spectra. With increase in MoO3 content, Mo6+ ions transformed to Mo5+ units which in turn converted BO4 to BO3 units as confirmed by FTIR and Raman spectroscopies.