An extended X-ray absorption fine structure investigation on the local environment of niobium ions in Nb2O5-doped SrTiO3 glass ceramics

The dielectrical properties of glass ceramics derived from SrO-B2O3-Al2O3-TiO2 glasses are improved by doping the starting material with Nb2O5 and judicious choice of heat treatment conditions. In order to understand this effect the local environment of the niobium ions is studied by EXAFS (extended X-ray absorption fine structure) investigations at the Nb-K edge. For comparison purposes Ti-K and Sr-K EXAFS spectra have also been measured. The experiments suggest that the niobium ions are incorporated onto titanium sites in the crystalline SrTiO3 phase formed during the thermal treatment.