ZnO Modified Bismuth Silicate Glasses Structural and Physical Properties

Abstract— Zinc bismuth silicate glasses with compositions were prepared using standard melt-quench techniques and zinc solubility limits were estimated using X-ray diffraction techniques in the bismuth silicate glass scheme. Density was measured using the principle of Archimedes; the molar volume and density decreased with a rise in ZnO in the samples. The temperature of the glass transition () was determined using differential calorimetry scanning (DSC) and is expected to raise with a rise in ZnO content. Raman and FTIR spectra were registered at room temperature and Raman and FTIR analysis demonstrates that in all glass compositions there are asymmetric and symmetric extended vibrations of Si-O bonds in  tetrahedral units and with reduction in Bi₂O₃, the input of symmetric vibrations starts to dominate resulting in enhanced compactness of the glass composition.