Influence of Transition Metals on the Development of Semiconducting and Low Thermal Expansion TiO2-Borosilicate Glasses and Glass Ceramics.

This current investigation represents as well as discusses in detail the characterization of the thermal, mechanical, as well as electrical characteristics of titanium-based borosilicate glasses doped transition metal ions (3d) in addition to their corresponding glass–ceramics. The building structural units of the as-prepared glasses together with their glass – ceramic were characterized by the FTIR technique. FTIR spectra reveal characteristic silicate and borate groups vibrations, some of the TiO₄ units are formed beside (TiO₆) groups. The progressive enhancement in microhardness and thermal expansion values was recorded for glass – ceramic state that occurred as a result of the crystallization of nano-sized crystals throughout the glass matrix. The estimated electrical parameters which include permittivity (ε'), dielectric loss (ε''), AC conductivity (σ_ac) capacitance (C), and dielectric loss demonstrated a distinctive variation in their values in accordance with the type of transition metal and /or the applied frequency. The prepared glass–ceramic was found to be suitable for use in electronics and solar cell applications based on its overall thermal and electrical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]