Role of MnO in manganese–borate binary glass systems: a study on structure and thermal properties

Structural and thermal properties of $$x\hbox {MnO}-(100-x)\hbox {B}_{2}\hbox {O}_{3}$$ (where $$x=40$$ , 50 and 60 mol%) glass samples have been investigated with the employment of various techniques. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results revealed the influence of MnO on glass matrix. Decrease of B–O bond-related band intensities has been observed. MnO addition was found to introduce broken [ $$\hbox {BO}_{2}\hbox {O}^{-}$$ ] $$_{{n}}$$ chains. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements presented decreasing $$T_{\mathrm{g}}$$ that indicates depolymerization of glass matrix in the considered compositional range. Moreover, thermal stability (TS) parameter has been evaluated using the DSC technique. It slightly decreased with MnO content. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy results provided the evidence for $$\hbox {Mn}^{2+}$$ and $$\hbox {Mn}^{3+}$$ presence. Multiplet splitting, close to that of MnO, has been observed. It has been concluded that most of the manganese ions existed in the divalent state. Photoluminescence study revealed that manganese ions are tetragonally co-ordinated in a glassy matrix.