Effect of Nd2O3 addition on structure and characterization of lead bismuth borate glass

Abstract The effect of different contents of Nd 2 O 3 on the thermal transition temperature, density and structure of 25 Bi 2 O 3 – 25 PbO – 50 B 2 O 3 has been investigated using X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis (DTA), infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR) and optical absorption. The amorphous phase has been identified based on X-ray diffraction analysis. The neodymium oxide plays the role as a glass-modifier and influences on BO 3  ↔ BO 4 conversion. The observed increase in T g with Nd 2 O 3 reflects an increase in bond strength. The decrease of the density and the increase of the molar volume with the addition of Nd 2 O 3 contents attributed to an increase in the number of Non-bridging oxygen (NBOS). The optical absorption results are indicating the higher covalency of the Nd–O bond for glass containing 2 mol% of Nd 2 O 3 . In addition, a lowest covalency is observed in glass with 1 mol% Nd 2 O 3 . In addition, it is considered necessary in the construction of compact and efficient laser source.