Synthesis and vibrational analysis of new bismuth phosphate glasses

Bismuth phosphate glasses were prepared using the conventional melt quenching technique with a mixture of Bismuth(III) oxide and hydrogen ammonium phosphate. The amorphous state of the samples was verified by X-ray diffraction. The physical parameters like molar volume and oxygen packing density were evaluated from the measured density values. It is found that the density increased from 5.45 g/cm(3) to 6.12 g/cm(3), while the values of the molar volume increased from 34,97 to 39.08 cm(3)/mol, and whereas the oxygen packing density decreased with the gradual increase of the of bismuth content. The structure of the glasses was determined using Infrared Spectroscopy. The Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy spectra were recorded in the spectral range from 400 to 1400 cm(-1). The structural investigations based on these spectra show the rapid depolymerization of phosphate chains with an increase in bismuth oxide. Also, this investigation highlights that the glassy-matrix contains various phosphate and bismuth structural units. The results indicate that Bismuth oxide plays a network modifier role and stabilizes the structure of the vitreous matrix.