Mössbauer spectroscopy measurement of iron oxidation states in float composition silica glasses

Abstract Mossbauer spectroscopy and chemical analysis were used to determine the Fe 2+ /(Fe 2+ +Fe 3+ ) ratio of iron ions in soda-lime silica float composition glass. Apparent disagreement between these ratios determined by these techniques in glasses of low ( 2 O 3 ) iron concentration was resolved by measuring the Mossbauer spectra at 4.2 K and including as Fe 3+ the observed magnetic sextet component. The sextet is explained by slow relaxation of Fe 3+ ions; conditions that give rise to this in the glass environment are discussed.