Characterization and optical properties of Pr2O3-doped molybdenum lead-borate glasses

Abstract

Pr3+ doped molybdenum lead-borate glasses with the chemical composition 75PbO-[25-(x+y)B2O3]-yMoO3-xPr2O3 (where x = 0.5 and 1.0 mol% and y = 0 and 5 mol%) were prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. Thermal, optical and structural analyses are carried out using DSC, UV and FTIR spectra. The physical parameters, like glass transition (Tg), stability factor (ΔT), optical energy band gap (Egopt), of these glasses have been determined as a function of dopant concentration. The Tg and optical energy gaps of these glasses were found to be in the range of 290-350°C and 2.45-2.7 eV, respectively. Stability of the glass doped with Pr3+ is found to be moderate (∼40). The results are discussed using the structural model of Mo.lead-borate glass.