Synthesis, physical, ultrasonic waves, mechanical, FTIR, and dielectric characteristics of B2O3/Li2O/ZnO glasses doped with Y3+ ions.

Six specimens of glasses with formula (70 − x)B₂O₃/15Li₂O/15ZnO/xY₂O₃: x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 mol%) have been synthesized via a conventional melt quenching technique. The produced specimens were named as BLZY0.0–BLZY2.5 according to x values. The physical, ultrasonic longitudinal (V_L) and shear (V_S) velocities, FTIR, and dielectric (50 Hz to 5 MHz) characteristics of the prepared glasses have been examined. With increasing content of Y₂O₃ from 0.0 to 2.5 mol%, the density (ρ) of the system increases linearly from 2512 ± 11 to 2695 ± 14 kg/m³, while the molar volume (V_M) decreases linearly from 2.6 ± 0.011 to 2.57 ± 0.013 × 10⁻⁵ m³/mol. The oxygen packing density (OPD) as a number of the oxygen per unit composition in the glass sample is describing the packing tightness of the oxide network and thoroughly the compactness of the glass matrix. Values of the average boron–boron separation (d_B–B) decrease from 4.162 to 4.035 × 10⁻¹⁰ (m) with 0 to 2.5 mol% Y₂O₃. Increasing formation of Y³⁺ ionic bonds with [BO_4/2]¹⁻ may have an effect of lowering bond strength of B–O and thus shifting the absorption IR peak position. By increasing Y₂O₃ content in the investigated samples, the (V_L) and (V_S) increase linearly for the full-studied compositional range. The increasing number of strengthened bonds due to change coordination of B ions from 3 to 4 due to the increasing field strength of inserted accumulated Y³⁺ ions has the incentive impact to higher mechanical properties. The dielectric constant was decreased for Y₂O₃ content up to 1.5 mol% referring to cross-linkage formation with other elements, while the reduction in porosity at high content of Y₂O₃ is the main responsible for gradual enhancement in dielectric constant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]