Structural and physical properties of Sm3+ doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glass

Abstract

Samarium (Sm3+ ) doped magnesium zinc sulfophosphate glass system of composition (60-x)P2O5-20MgO-20ZnSO4-xSm2O3 (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mol%) were synthesized using melt-quenching technique. The structure and physical properties of prepared glass samples were characterized. The X-ray diffraction pattern verified their amorphous nature. The physical properties such as density, refractive index, molar volume, rare earth ion concentration, etc. were calculated. The decrease in the optical bandgap energy with increasing Sm2O3 contents was attributed to the alteration in the glass network structures. Fourier transformed infrared spectra and Raman analyses manifested the depolymerization of ZnSO4 in the phosphate host matrix. The present findings may be beneficial for the advancement of functional glasses.