Influence of iron ions on characteristic and spectroscopic properties of zinc aluminum borate glass system

Small concentrations of iron oxide doped ZnO–Al2O3–B2O3 glasses were prepared by melt quenching technique. The characteristics of the samples were analyzed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The analysis of XRD spectra established the disorderly nature of the glass composition and no specialized crystalline species are observed. The surface morphology of the glass samples has also been systematically investigated by scanning electron microscopy. The overall inference of OA, ESR and IR studies is that the Fe3+ ions might have changed from ionic environment to covalent environment progressively. With increase in the concentration of Fe2O3, a gradual increase in the intensity of the bands due to Fe3+ ions at the expense of the band due to Fe2+ ions could be observed.