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This qualitative work focuses on a comparison between the roles of a lanthanide oxide CeO2 and a transition metal oxide Cu2O3 when introduced to sodium borate glass. Two glass samples have been prepared using the fast quenching method, where two types of glasses were obtained: (i) copper-free/cerium-rich sodium borate glass, and (ii) cerium-free/copper-rich sodium borate glass. XRD patterns indicated the amorphous nature of the prepared samples regardless of the dopant type, either CeO2 or Cu2O3. The optical characterization showed that the CeO2-doped and Cu2O3-doped samples have the same Urbach energy, resonance frequency, and damping factor. But differ in the values of the transmittance, reflectance, plasmon frequency, and the concentration of the free charge carriers. The acquired results may recommend CeO2-doped borate glasses as major components in the field of data transfer materials, such as those used in the manufacture of computer chips, whereas Cu2O3-doped borate glasses were proposed for applications involving) attenuation of the low energy light (UV–VIS–NIR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The synthesis of the poly (methyl methacrylate) composite containing borax decahydrate microparticles at two different concentrations (such as 5 and 10 wt %) was significant to derive amphibious features (such as wettability and hydrophilicity) by using the atom transfer radical polymerization (ATRP) method. The composite has provided an optimum optical identification level as borax decahydrate (as the filler particle) was used to develop the optical modification in this lightweight composite. The optical development has provided a homogeneously spread of light at the surface and ideal identification conditions in the working area as the modified optical properties were solved through several material problems and developed to improve its amphibious movement in corrosive ambient. Optical identification (by using colour coordinates) has been generated with the development of the lighting homogeneity allowing the surface of the composite product to come to the fore as the result that the surface roughness increased slightly with the rise of the borax microparticle amount. The control of the borax addition has provided the modification of the amphibious design with the rise of wettability to develop multifunctional applications. The surface of this composite has reached sligitly a more hydrophilic feature with the modification of the surface morphology. The decrease of optical transmittance by borax addition in PMMA synthesis has been enhanced with the slight modification of the amphibious design of the composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work barium sodium borate glass samples with the nominal compositions 55B2O3 +(25-x)BaF2 + 20Na2O + xCo3O4 where x = 0, 0.5, 1, 0.75, 1.5, and 2 mol % were prepared by the conventional melt-quenching technique. The structural, thermal, optical and magnetic characteristics of Co doped barium sodium borate glasses have been considered. The amorphous nature of the prepared glass samples were confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectra. Fourier-Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) has been recorded in the range of 4000–400 cm− 1 to estimate the vibrational and dynamics of cobalt doped barium sodium borate glass samples. Differential thermal analysis (DTA) was used to perform the glass transition investigations. The values of Tg and TC significantly improved with increasing cobalt oxide concentration, according to (DTA) thermal analysis.UV–Vis spectra of the prepared glass samples were detected over the range of 200–2500 nm. The optical absorption spectra were used to estimate optical energy band gaps of the prepared glasses. It was observed that the direct and indirect optical band gaps were decreased with increasing Co3O4 content. The magnetization hysteresis loops for prepared glass system has been estimated. The coercivity of the glass samples for all Co3O4 content is small and the magnetization saturation increased from 0.2 to 0.58 esu/g as the concentration of Co3O4 varied from 0.0 to 2.0 mol%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work has been performed to estimate the effect of BaO doping on the structural and optical properties of sodium borate–based glass, which contains an equal concentrations of both the cerium and copper oxides. The traditional fast cooling method was followed to obtain the desired glasses, by adding different content of BaO to the components of the cerium/copper sodium borate glass. The X-ray patterns as well as SEM/EDX imaging reflected the amorphous nature of the prepared solids, while FTIR spectra revealed the existence of the two basic structural groups of borate glass (BO3 and BO4) for the both Ba-free and Ba-doped samples. When the BaO content was raised, FTIR also revealed the presence of the distinct structural group of cerium tetrahedral CeO4. BaO content showed an impact on the values of the bulk density, the direct/indirect energy gaps, and the optical conductivity, where when BaO was increased the values of both density and optical conductivity decreased while those of the energy gaps increased. The Drude-Lorentz model has been used to simulate the optical conductivities of the studied glasses. The optical conductivity reached its maximum value at 1430 THz in the high-energy region. The simulation process is supported by the terahertz band communications parameters matched with the previous studies. The obtained materials can be used in the terahertz band. The intensity of ESR spectra increased when BaO increased, which means an increase in the paramagnetic centers throughout the host BaO-rich glassy sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effect of ZnO additives on the structural and optical properties of some cerium/copper sodium borate-based glass has been estimated based on the results of the XRD, SEM/EDX, FT-IR, and UV–Vis spectra. The XRD revealed the amorphous nature of the as-prepared solids, while the FT-IR showed an increase in the number of the nonbridging oxygen atoms and the ratio BO3/(BO3 + BO4). The ESR spectra declared that the increase of ZnO additives caused Cu- cations to accumulate, forming some clusters distributed throughout the glass network. The SEM/EDX imaging of the mid-point showed that the cluster size varies from 250 to 300 nm, with irregular distributions. The increase in ZnO content caused an increase in the value of Urbach's energy and a decrease in the values of the optical energy gaps. The increase in the optical absorbance values was assigned to the increase in Cu- clusters formation. The increase in the values of the refractive indices and optical susceptibilities with the increase in the ZnO has been attributed to the polarizability effect of the Cu- clusters/accumulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Praseodymium doped barium sodium borate glasses were prepared using conventional melt-quenching technique with the compositions of 10BaO:25Na2O:(65 – x)B2O3:xPr2O3 (where x = 0.0, 0.1, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0 mol%) and investigated their physical, optical and luminescence properties. The absorption spectra showed the bands located at 442, 468, 480, 586, 1511 and 1909 nm, corresponding to the 3H4→3P2, 3P1, 3P0, 1D2, 3F3 and 3F2, respectively. The strongest absorption bands belong to wavelength at 442 nm in UV–Vis region and 1511 nm in NIR region. The emission spectra, observed with 442 nm excitation wavelengths, showed the emission peaks at 492 and 529 nm, denoted for green emission, and at 600 nm, denoted for orange emission. Judd–Ofelt analysis was also employed in this work to determine the potential of the glass samples for photonic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two new sodium aluminum borates, Na3AlB8O15 and Na3Al2B7O15, have been successfully synthesized by the high‐temperature solution method. They crystallize in the different space groups, P21/c and P2/c, respectively. The B−O configurations of β‐Na2B6O10, Na3AlB8O15 and Na3Al2B7O15 are compared to feature complicated different dimensional open‐framework structures caused by the substitution of [BO4] by [AlO4] covalent tetrahedra. Moreover, the experimental results indicate that Na3AlB8O15 and Na3Al2B7O15 have short ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edges (<187 nm). The first‐principles calculations show that Na3AlB8O15 and Na3Al2B7O15 have moderate birefringence (0.075 and 0.041@1064 nm, respectively). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For the carbon-based glass fabrication/manufacture process, different amounts of pure graphite powder were added up to 100 wt.% of sodium tetraborate oxide (the weight of one mole of the sodium tetraborate is 381.372 g/mol) and then melted at 950 °C for 2 h before fast quenching in the air at RT. The resulted solids were examined by the XRD and SEM techniques, which confirmed the amorphous natures for studied samples. FTIR spectroscopy showed that some C-atoms are shared in the glass network as C–O and CO2. In contrast, the UV–Vis showed that the increase in the graphite contents/impurities causes a red shift in the value of the optical edge and the value of Fermi energy. Also, the increase of the graphite impurities causes a decrease in the bandgap values of both direct and indirect electronic transitions. Both the values of Urbach energy and the metallization indicated an increase in the crystallinity degree as the graphite content increase. A graphite-based glass is a promising material for wide-scale applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study aims to examine the effects of beaming 7.5 MeV electron on europium-doped zinc sodium bismuth borate glasses (prepared through melt quench technique) and the resulting changes in structural and optical properties. The study also examines the structural depolymerization of irradiated glasses, analyzed using recorded Fourier transform infrared spectra. Absorbance spectra along with Tauc's plot were used to find the optical band gap of pristine and irradiated glasses. The study observes changes in photoluminescence spectra of irradiated Eu3+-doped glasses, monitored by exciting the samples at 394 nm. The study notes a decrease in emission intensity of Eu3+ ions observed from the emission spectra of electron beam treated glass samples. The thermally stimulated luminescence (TL) measurements of irradiated glasses resulted in intense glow peaks with increasing electron beam doses [4–50 kGy]. The TL glow curve exhibited two dissimilar peaks at distinct temperatures of 490 K and 610 K respectively. The obtained trap-depth (0.93 eV) using Chen's relation and intensity variation of first glow peak at 490 K as a function electron beam doses facilitates ZNBBE-4 glass for dosimetry applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficaccy of heat treatment on optical nonlinear features has been investigated. • Nonlinear optical features have been ascertained using femtosecond laser pulses. • The intensity–dependent nonlinear optical features were evaluated. • The results disclosed that the glasses are advantageous for nonlinear photonic functionalities depending on the input intensity. We present results from our experimental measurements on the effect of annealing and intensity–dependent femtosecond (MHz) third–order nonlinear optical (NLO) attributes of gold nanoparticles (NPs) embedded sodium borate glass specimens. A melt–quench procedure was used to fabricate the gold nanoparticle–loaded sodium antimony containing borate glasses, which were then subjected to different schedules of thermal treatment at 500 °C. The highest saturation intensity and nonlinear refraction magnitude were observed for the 7–hour annealed glass specimen (i.e., for NBAu–7 glass). Thus, on the NBAu–7 glass, intensity–sensitive NLO measurements were performed. The saturable absorption behavior that was detected at lower peak intensities switched to reverse saturable absorption during the exposure of NBAu–7 glass with high fluence laser pulses. While the sign of the nonlinear refraction remained unchanged, the magnitude increased. The methodology examined in this work may enable the fabrication of borate–based glasses loaded with gold NPs with high saturation intensities and robust nonlinear refractive index magnitudes to be used in optical switching operations. The results of the current study support that the NBAu–7 glass is advantageous for optical switching functions when exposed to low–energy laser pulses. In contrast, the same glass benefits optical limiting functions when exposed to high–fluence laser pulses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Graphene nanopowder was used as an unconventional additive to the studied oxide glasses, where it was added to the raw components of the copper-sodium borate glass by weight% according to the chemical formula : [ (B 2 O 3) 0.6 m o l % (N a 2 O) 0.3 m o l % (C u 2 O 3) 0.2 m o l % ] + (G r a p h e n e) x , where x = 0, 0.2, 0.4, 0.6 and 1 g. Then, the traditional melt quenching method was considered for the glass preparation process. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FTIR), Ultraviolet–Visible spectra UV–Vis, and the electron spin resonance (ESR) were used for the characterization processes. According to the XRD patterns, the prepared samples have been divided into two categories, pure glassy samples (x < 0.6 g), and glass-ceramic samples (x ≥ 0.6 g). The FTIR showed the presence of the structural groups BO 3 and BO 4 as well C O. Also, FTIR showed a conversion from BO 3 to BO 4 when the content of graphene increased, which means a decrease in the number of nonbridging oxygen atoms NBOs. The deconvolution parameters showed an increase in the relative area of the band assigned to the OH and CH 2 groups. According to ESR spectral analysis, Cu2+ ions should occupy octahedral sites with tetragonal distortion as the ground state, where the effective g values and the peak-to-peak width were computed and linked with the structural variation of the prepared samples. The UV–Vis optical measurements showed that the as-prepared glasses/glass-ceramics could act as an optical pass filter in the region of the visible light, as well as good candidates for UV- and NIR shielding applications. [Display omitted] • Adding the graphene to the glass compositions to estimate its impact on the glass structure and properties. • Study the effect of adding the graphene with different weight ratios on the properties of the pure cupric sodium borate glass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of Sm3+-doped lead sodium borate glasses in compositions of (79-x)B 2 O 3 : 20Na 2 O: xPbO: 1Sm 2 O 3 with x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mol% were studied by using the melt-quenching technique. The glass samples were characterized the spectroscopic properties. From the photoluminescence, the emission spectra of glasses showed 4 peaks bands at 563(4G 5/2 → 6H 5/2), 599(4G 5/2 → 6H 7/2), 645(4G 5/2 → 6H 9/2), and 706(4G 5/2 → 6H 11/2) nm. The maximum intensity was identified at 10 mol% of PbO. Similarly, the radioluminescence spectra (RL) of the glasses were found in 4 emission bands, The strongest emission peak of RL was 597 nm at 5 mol% of PbO. The maximum intensity of PL and RL shows the difference in PbO content due to the difference in interaction mechanisms of host material and activator from UV and X-ray excitation. The absorption spectra revealed the highest emission wavelength at 599 nm. The color coordinate in CIE-1931 was found to locate in the orange region. • Glass scintillator from lead sodium borate doped with Sm3+ were developed. • Physics, optical and luminescence properties were studied. • Integral scintillation efficiency of glass is 5.9% of BGO crystal. • Lead sodium borate doped with Sm3+ show good emission for scintillator. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper discusses how substituting a lanthanide oxide with a transition metal oxide impacts the structural matrix, shielding parameters, and the optical properties of the sodium borate glass. Where a set of glass samples have been prepared using the fast quenching method, where three types of glasses were obtained; i) copper-free/cerium-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), ii) cerium-free/copper-rich sodium borate glass (one sample), and iii) Cerium copper sodium borate glass (three samples). XRD patterns indicated the amorphous nature for the as-prepared samples regardless of the changing amounts of CeO 2 and Cu 2 O 3. FTIR-spectral analysis showed that ratio BO 3 :BO 4 reached its lower limit in the sample containing equal CeO 2 and Cu 2 O 3 concentrations. At the same time, it has got its upper limit in the cerium-free/copper-rich sample. Optical calculations showed that the same contains equal concentrations of CeO 2 and Cu 2 O 3 have the maximum optical bandgaps and the minimum Urbach's energy among the studied samples. On the other hand, gamma-ray spectroscopic measurements associated with XCOM calculations indicated that the highest μm value was obtained for the Copper-free/cerium-rich samples. Based on the experimental μ m , other important parameters, such as the half-value layer HVL, were evaluated to investigate the present glass system. The neutron shielding behavior of the studied samples was also evaluated by calculating the fast neutron removal cross-section ΣR , and the results revealed the possibility of using the studied glass samples containing 3% of the CeO 2 content in radiation protection applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to investigate the optical and spectroscopic properties of magnesium borax glasses doped with rare-earths. The optical absorption spectra were recorded at room temperature in the UV-Vis region. From the absorption edge studies, different radiative and optical properties have been evaluated to develop the fabrication processes for the implementation of integrated optical amplifiers and lasers to be used in optical communication systems as well as in medical systems and instrumentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Optical properties of borax glasses of the type 80Na2B4O7.10H2O + (20–X)P2O2 + X.Y (Y = Pr and Nd, X = 1-3%) doped by 1 to 3 wt% of Praseodymium (Pr(III)) and Neodymium (Nd(III)) are investigated. Energy levels and optical transitions of Pr(III) and Nd(III) are assigned. Spectral parameters (E1, E2, E3), spectral intensities (Eexpt), Judd-ofelt (J-O) intensity parameters (2, 4 and 6) and radiative lifetimes (  R) are correlated for 1-3 wt% concentrations of borax glasses. The Rare Earth (RE) ion in borax glasses strongly depend upon the glass composition and the radiation can be varied over a large range by modifying the glass network and changing ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of the gradual increase of TiO 2 -impurities on the structural and optical properties of some calcium sodium borate glasses was studied to estimate its possibility to use for optoelectronic applications. Where a set of samples were prepared by the fast cooling method, then XRD, and FTIR were used for the characterization and identification of the internal structures of those samples, which exhibited the short-range order structure of the amorphous solids. The introduction of TiO 2 caused BO 3 to convert to BO 4 , increase the bulk density of the samples, increase the number of non-bridging oxygen atoms, increase the optical absorbance, and decrease the volume energy loss function. The optical band gaps for the allowed electronic transitions of the study samples showed an anomalous behavior when the Ti-content increase, where the value of the optical bandgap for direct transition increased while that of indirect transition decreased. UV–vis spectral analysis showed the absence of any absorption peaks, which requires that all Ti-cations should be of tetrahedral coordination and have an empty d-subshell. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Efficacy of Eu3+ ions on the NLO and OL properties was investigated. • Eu3+ activated borate based glasses demonstrated positive optical nonlinearities • Role of non–bridging oxygens and polarizability of Eu3+ ions has been highlighted. • The studied glasses are beneficial for the fabrication of power optical limiters. Efficacy of Eu3+ ions nonlinear optical and optical limiting performances of antimony sodium borate gasses was investigated and discussed in detail. Nonlinear optical absorption and refraction features were evaluated in open and closed aperture Z–scan modes, respectively. The open aperture Z–scan profiles of the glasses demonstrated a reverse saturable absorption behaviour attributed to two photon absorption. The closed aperture Z–scan profiles exhibited positive type nonlinear refraction due to self–focusing effect. The two photon absorption coefficients demonstrated an increasing trend while the optical limiting threshold values demonstrated a decreasing trend as the function of Eu3+ concentration in the composition. This improved two photon absorption and decreased OL threshold coefficients with respect to Eu 2 O 3 concentration in the compositions endorse the glasses as contending materials for the fabrication of optical limiters, which are promising use for protection of eyes and other sensitive instruments from laser induced damages. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nickel-doped sodium zinc borate (NZB) glasses of composition [15 ZnO – (65 – x) B 2 O 3 –x NiO – 20 Na 2 O], where (x = 0.0, 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mol %), were prepared following the melt quenching technique. The effect of NiO additives on the structural and optical properties of NZB glasses has been studied by a set of complementary techniques. The amorphous nature of the prepared samples was verified by both X-ray diffraction pattern analysis (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additional structural information and physically relevant parameters such as density, molar volume, inter ionic distance, the average Boron–Boron separation, and ion concentration, have been calculated. Furthermore, the optical basicity and electronic polarizability of the system were empirically determined. Boron structural units and both Ni2+ and Zn2+ specific vibrations were identified using FTIR spectroscopy. The direct comparison of the vibrational spectra of all samples showed a slight reduction in N 4 ratio, from 32% to 29%, with increasing NiO content. The detailed deconvolution process of optical spectra revealed specific absorption bands characteristic for Ni2+ ions, in the visible and NIR regions, preferentially occupying octahedral sites. Ligand field parameters such as crystal field and Racah parameters were estimated, and the covalent nature between Ni2+ ions and the surrounding ligand is indicated from the nephelauxetic effect. The optical band gap energy as calculated from Tauc's model was observed to decrease from 3.88 to 3.49 eV with increasing NiO content, while the refractive index follows the opposite behavior. Urbach energy values and metallization criterion factor confirmed the semiconductor character of the present Ni-doped NZB glasses. Image 1 • Nickel additives appear to have a pronounced effect on the structural and optical properties of NZBglasses. • Specific vibrational ranges for the metallic Zn2+ ions and the extended vibration of Ni-O-Ni bonds were identified. • Ligand field analysis of nickel ions provides a direct explanation for the origin behind the optical absorption peaks. • Ni2+ ions mostly occupy octahedral sites, suggesting promising applications in laser technology and communication systems. • Optical parameters values confirmed the semiconductor behavior of the titled glasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neodymium doped sodium strontium borate ( Nd 3 + : NaSrB) glass system has been synthesized using conventional melt quenching technique. X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy, Diffused reflectance spectro-scopy (DRS) and Thermoluminescence (TL) characterization have been done to observe the effect of neodymium oxide concentration on physical, optical and dosimetric properties of the prepared glass system. XRD pattern exhibit two broad humps and the close analysis revealed the presence of rare-earth induced nano-cristoballite. FT-IR spectra have been deconvoluted to study the presence of different structural groups. Band-gap ( E g ) has been calculated using the Kubelka-Munk method and is found to be sensitive to Nd 2 O 3 concentration. Maximum TL intensity is obtained for the 0.2 mol% concentration of rare-earth oxide and the shift in the peak towards lower temperature with the inclusion of Nd 2 O 3 indicates the formation of low-level traps. Our results suggest that, due to high TL efficiency, the glass sample with 0.2 mol% concentration of Nd 2 O 3 is suitable for the dosimetric applications. Image 1 • NaSrB: Nd+3 glass system were synthesized using conventional melt quenching technique. • Role of Nd3+in sodium strontium borate glass was studied for TL emission. • The sample with concentration of 0.2 mol% Nd 2 O 3 has the best thermoluminescence characteristics. • A linear relation between TL and increasing radiation dose was observed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]