Structural, optical and thermo-physical characterizations of co-doped Pr3+ and Nd3+ ions on BaCO3–H3BO3 glasses for microelectronic applications

Effects of rare-earth oxides (Pr2O3, Nd2O3) along with the addition of structure of H3BO3–BaCO3 glass coordination and its electro-chemical properties have been investigated. The glasses containing Pr3+and Nd3+ in H3BO3:BaCO3:Pr2O3:Nd2O3 glass matrix have been prepared by muffle furnace method. X-ray diffraction (XRD) was used to examine the structural properties of the prepared co-doped Pr3+ and Nd3+ borate glasses. Vibrational spectrum study was carried out using FTIR spectroscopy to identify the structural contributions of each element in the glass matrix and effects on Ba2+ ions as a modifier of the structure. Lower cut-off frequency and the optical band gap energy (Eg) were determined through the optical absorption spectra using UV–Vis spectroscopy. Elemental compositions and its microstructure on the grain boundaries of the sample were determined by SEM–EDX spectrograph. Specific heat capacity (Cp) of the glass was determined using DSC thermogram in the temperature range between 30 and 500°C. Temperature dependence of thermal conductivity associated with electrical conductivity, thermal diffusivity and effusivity of the glass specimen were measured. Effects of rare-earths on the dielectric properties of barium borate were investigated at the room temperature. The mechanical properties, such as microhardness number (Hv), yield strength (σv) and stiffness constant (C11) of the Pr–Nd–BB glass were measured by Vickers hardness test. The gamma-ray shielding parameters of this glass matrix were studied. The results were presented in this paper which proves the sample to be useful for radiation shielding and many other optical applications.