The effect of boron substitution on the glass-forming ability, phase transformation and optical performance of zinc-boro-soda-lime-silicate glasses

Abstract

The influence of boron oxide on glass-forming ability, phase transformation, and optical properties of new zinc-boro-soda-lime-silicate (ZBSLS) glass system with formulation 60–x(ZnO)x(B2O3)40(SLS) where x = 0, 1, 5, 10 and 15 wt.% using the conventional melt-quenching technique was comprehensively studied. The glass powder samples were subjected to true density measurement using Helium Pycnometer. Besides, the XRD and FTIR spectroscopy was used to examining the phase and structural rearrangement in the ZBSLS glass system. The XRD result emphasizes the glass samples (G3, G4, and G5) in amorphous nature when boron concentration is more than 5 wt.% in the ZBSLS glass matrix. Also, the UV–Vis spectra were observed within 200–800 nm. At that point, the data from optical absorbance was converted to justify the optical band gap energy using Mott and Davis theory. The optical band gap energy show increment behavior from 4.35 to 5.25 eV for direct allowed transition and 3.25–4.30 eV for indirect allowed transition with the progress of boron concentration, respectively.

Keywords

• Soda-lime-silicate glasses
• Phase transformation
• Structural properties
• Optical absorption
• Optical band gap energy