Synthesis, phase transformation and dielectric properties of sol–gel derived Bi2Ti2O7 ceramics

Sol–gel derived Bi₂Ti₂O₇ ceramic powders have been prepared from methoxyethoxides of bismuth and titanium (molar ratio of Ti/Bi = 1.23 and water/alkoxides = 1.31). The Bi₂Ti₂O₇ phase was stable at a low temperature (700 °C), but it then transformed into mixed phases of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ and Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁ at 850–1150 °C. The single phase of Bi₂Ti₂O₇ reoccurred at 1200 °C. Dielectric properties and ferroelectric behavior of samples sintered at 1150 and 1200 °C were examined. Under frequency of 1 MHz, samples sintered at 1150 and 1200 °C had a dielectric constant of 101.3 and 104.2, and a loss tangent of 0.0193 and 0.0145, respectively. Only the sample sintered at 1150 °C showed ferroelectric behavior, where remanent polarization is 3.77 μC cm⁻² and coercive field is 24 kV cm⁻¹. Thus, the Bi₂Ti₂O₇ did not exhibit ferroelectricity, but the mixed phase of Bi₄Ti₃O₁₂ and Bi₂Ti₄O₁₁ did.     

Influence of Mn doping on microstructure and DC-accelerated aging behaviors of ZnO–V2O5-based varistors

The microstructure, electrical properties, dielectric characteristics, and DC-accelerated aging behavior of the ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system sintered were investigated for MnO₂ content of 0.0–2.0 mol% by sintering at 900 °C. For all samples, the microstructure of the ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system consisted of mainly ZnO grain and secondary phase Zn₃(VO₄)₂. The incorporation of MnO₂ to the ZnO–V₂O₅ system was found to restrict the abnormal grain growth of ZnO. The nonlinear properties and stability against DC-accelerated aging stress improved with the increase of MnO₂ content. The ZnO–V₂O₅–MnO₂ system added with MnO₂ content of 2.0 mol% exhibited not only a high nonlinearity, in which the nonlinear coefficient is 27.2 and the leakage current density is 0.17 mA/cm², but also a good stability, in which %ΔE_1 mA = −0.6%, %Δ = −26.1%, and %Δtan δ = +22% for DC-accelerated aging stress of 0.85E_1 mA/85 °C/24 h.     

Preparation and optical properties of sol–gel derived Er-doped Al2O3–Ta2O5 films

Thin films of the system xAl₂O₃–(100 − x)Ta₂O₅–1Er₂O₃ were prepared by a sol–gel method and a dip-coating technique. The influences of the composition and the crystallization of the films on Er³⁺ optical properties were investigated. Results of X-ray diffraction indicated that the crystallization temperature of Ta₂O₅ increased from 800 to 1000 °C with increased values of x. In crystallized films, the intensities of the visible fluorescence and upconversion fluorescence tend to decrease with an increase in x values, due to the high phonon energy of Al₂O₃; the strongest fluorescence is observed in a crystallized film for x = 4 heat treated at 1000 °C. In amorphous films obtained by heat treatment at relatively low temperatures the Er³⁺ fluorescence could not be observed because strong fluorescence from organic residues remaining in the films thoroughly covered the Er³⁺ fluorescence. On the other hand, the Er³⁺ upconversion fluorescence in the amorphous films was observed to be stronger than that in the crystallized films. The strongest upconversion fluorescence is observed in an amorphous film for x = 75 heat treated at 800 °C.     

Pyroelectric properties of BST/PLT composite thick films with addition of xPbO–(1 − x)B2O3 glass

The Ba_xSr_1−xTiO₃ (BST)/Pb_1−xLa_xTiO₃ (PLT) composite thick films (20 μm) with 12 mol% amount of xPbO–(1 − x)B₂O₃ glass additives (x = 0.2, 0.35, 0.5, 0.65 and 0.8) have been prepared by screen-printing the paste onto the alumina substrates with silver bottom electrode. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and an impedance analyzer and an electrometer were used to analyze the phase structures, morphologies and dielectric and pyroelectric properties of the composite thick films, respectively. The wetting and infiltration of the liquid phase on the particles results in the densification of the composite thick films sintered at 750 °C. Nice porous structure formed in the composite thick films with xPbO–(1 − x)B₂O₃ glass as the PbO content (x) is 0.5 ≥ x ≥ 0.35, while dense structure formed in these thick films as the PbO content (x) is 0.8 ≥ x ≥ 0.65. The volatilization of the PbO in PLT and the interdiffusion between the PLT and the glass lead to the reduction of the c-axis of the PLT phase. The operating temperature range of our composite thick films is 0–200 °C. At room temperature (20 °C), the BST/PLT composite thick films with 0.35PbO–0.65B₂O₃ glass additives provided low heat capacity and good pyroelectric figure-of-merit because of their porous structure. The pyroelectric coefficient and figure-of-merit F_D are 364 μC/(m² K) and 14.3 μPa^−1/2, respectively. These good pyroelectric properties as well as being able to produce low-cost devices make this kind of thick films a promising candidate for high-performance pyroelectric applications.     

Synthesis, structure refinement and characterization of tetrahydrated acid gadolinium diphosphate HGdP2O7·4H2O

Synthesis and single crystal structure are reported for a new gadolinium acid diphosphate tetrahydrate HGdP₂O₇·4H₂O. This salt crystallizes in the monoclinic system, space group P2₁/n, with the following unit-cell parameters: a = 6.6137(2) Å, b = 11.4954(4) Å, c = 11.377(4) Å, β = 87.53(2)° and Z = 4. Its crystal structure was refined to R = 0.0333 using 1783 reflections. The corresponding atomic arrangement can be described as an alternation of corrugated layers of monohydrogendiphosphate groups and GdO₈ polyhedra parallel to the () plane. The cohesion between the different diphosphoric groups is provided by strong hydrogen bonding involving the W4 water molecule.

IR and Raman spectra of HGdP₂O₇·4H₂O confirm the existence of the characteristic bands of diphosphate group in 980–700 cm⁻¹ area. The IR spectrum reveals also the characteristic bands of water molecules vibration (3600–3230 cm⁻¹) and acidic hydrogen ones (2340 cm⁻¹). TG and DTA investigations show that the dehydration of this salt occurs between 79 and 900 °C. It decomposes after dehydration into an amorphous phase. Gadolinium diphosphate Gd₄(P₂O₇)₃ was obtained by heating HGdP₂O₇·4H₂O in a static air furnace at 850 °C for 48 h.     

Influence of rare-earth oxides on structure and crystallization properties of Bi2O3–B2O3 glass

Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glasses doped with rare-earth oxides (RE₂O₃) (RE³⁺ = La³⁺, Pr³⁺, Sm³⁺, Gd³⁺, Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺) were prepared by the melting–quenching method. The relationships between composition and properties were demonstrated by IR, DSC, XRD and SEM analysis. The results show that the network structure resembles that of undoped Bi₂O₃·B₂O₃ glass, composing of [BO₃], [BO₄] and [BiO₆] units. RE₂O₃ stabilizes the glass structure as a modifier. Transition temperature (T_g) increases linearly with cationic field strength (CFS) of RE³⁺. La₂O₃, Pr₂O₃, Sm₂O₃ and Gd₂O₃ are benefit to promote the formation of BiBO₃ crystal. When Er₂O₃ and Yb₂O₃ are introduced, respectively, the main crystal phase changes to Bi₆B₁₀O₂₄. Transparent surface crystallized samples are obtained by reheating at 460–540 °C for 5 h. In this case, needle like BiBO₃ crystal or rare-earth-doped BiBO₃ crystal (Pr_xBi_1−xBO₃ and Gd_xBi_1−xBO₃) are observed, which is promising for non-linear optical application.     

Synthesis and characterization of the Me–HTSC composite

This study shows that homogeneous composite compacts with improved superconducting and mechanical properties can be successfully prepared from pure Me–HTSC powders (Me=Ag, Cu, Al; HTSC=YBA₂Cu₃O_7−x). Composites were produced under the following conditions: the mass fraction of the metal phase was in the range 2.5–40 wt%, the compacting pressure was 30 kN/cm², the sintering temperature was from 270 to 950°C and the cooling rate was 50°C/h and 220°C/min. Microstructure and X-ray diffraction analysis have been done, alongside the T_c value determination.     

Fabrication and characterization of (1−x)SrBi2Ta2O9–xBi3TaTiO9 layered structure solid solution thin films for ferroelectric random access memory (FRAM) applications

We report on the properties of (1−x)SrBi₂Ta₂O₉–xBi₃TaTiO₉ solid solution thin films for ferroelectric non-volatile memory applications. The solid solution thin films fabricated by modified metalorganic solution deposition technique showed much improved properties compared to SrBi₂Ta₂O₉. A pyrochlore free crystalline phase was obtained at a low annealing temperature of 600°C and grain size was found to be considerably increased for the solid solution compositions. The film properties were found to be strongly dependent on the composition and annealing temperatures. The measured dielectric constant of the solid solution thin films was in the range 180–225 for films with 10–50% of Bi₃TaTiO₉ content in the solid solution. Ferroelectric properties of (1−x)SrBi₂Ta₂O₉–xBi₃TaTiO₉ thin films were significantly improved compared to SrBi₂Ta₂O₉. For example, the observed remanent polarization (2P_r) and coercive field (E_c) values for films with 0.7SrBi₂Ta₂O₉–0.3Bi₃TaTiO₉ composition, annealed at 650°C, were 12.4 μC/cm² and 80 kV/cm, respectively. The solid solution thin films showed less than 5% decay of the polarization charge after 10¹⁰ switching cycles and good memory retention characteristics after about 10⁶ s of memory retention. The improved microstructural and ferroelectric properties of (1−x)SrBi₂Ta₂O₉–xBi₃TaTiO₉ thin films compared to SrBi₂Ta₂O₉, especially at lower annealing temperatures, suggest their suitability for high density FRAM applications.     

Microstructures, densification and mechanical properties of TiC–Al2O3–Al composite by field-activated combustion synthesis

Dense TiC–Al₂O₃–Al composite was prepared with Al, C and TiO₂ powders by means of electric field-activated combustion synthesis and infiltration of the molten metal (here Al) into the synthesized TiC–Al₂O₃ ceramic. An external electric field can effectively improve the adiabatic combustion temperature of the reactive system and overcome the thermodynamic limitation of reaction with x < 10 mol. Thereby, it can induce a self-sustaining combustion synthesis process. During the formation of Al₂O₃–TiC–Al composite, Al is molten first, and reacted with TiO₂ to form Al₂O₃, followed by the formation of TiC through the reaction between the displaced Ti and C. Highly dense TiC–Al₂O₃–Al with relative density of up to 92.5% was directly fabricated with the application of a 14 mol excess Al content and a 25 V cm⁻¹ field strength, in which TiC and Al₂O₃ particles possess fine-structured sizes of 0.2–1.0 μm, with uniform distribution in metal Al. The hardness, bending strength and fracture toughness of the synthesized TiC–Al₂O₃–Al composite are 56.5 GPa, 531 MPa and 10.96 MPa m^1/2, respectively.     

Effects of ZnO on piezoelectric properties of 0.01PMW–0.41PNN–0.35PT–0.23PZ ceramics

The microstructure and piezoelectric properties of the 0.01Pb(Mg_1/2W_1/2)O₃–0.41Pb(Ni_1/3Nb_2/3)O₃–0.35PbTiO₃–0.23PbZrO₃ + 0.1 and 0.3 wt.% Y₂O₃ + x ZnO ceramics were investigated. The crystal structure changed from psudocubic to tetragonal when ZnO added. The average grain size increased from 4 μm to 8 μm with the addition of ZnO by oxygen diffusion, even if the growth rate was low. When ZnO added until 0.5 wt.%, the , k_p and d₃₃ values of specimens were slightly increased regardless Y₂O₃ contents. The curie point of PMW–PNN–PT–PZ ceramics were increased from 162 °C to 232 °C, as increasing the ZnO contents. When ZnO added, the k_p of specimens slightly was increased regardless Y₂O₃ contents. The mechanical quality factors were abruptly decreased regardless Y₂O₃ contents, when ZnO added until 0.75 wt.%. The optimized piezoelectric properties were obtained; d₃₃ = 730 (pC/N), k_p = 60, Q_m = 50, and  = 4750, when PMW–PNN–PT–PZ + 0.3 wt.% Y₂O₃ + 0.5 wt.% ZnO sintered at 1200 °C for 1 h.     

Effects of adsorbent dose, its particle size and initial arsenic concentration on the removal of arsenic, iron and manganese from simulated ground water by Fe3+ impregnated activated carbon

This paper presents the observations of the study on arsenic removal from a contaminated ground water (simulated) by adsorption onto Fe³⁺ impregnated granular activated carbon (GAC-Fe). Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ have also been considered along with arsenic species in the water sample. Similar study has also been done with untreated granular activated carbon (GAC) for comparison. The effects of adsorbent dose, particle size of adsorbent and initial arsenic concentration on the removal of As(T), As(III), As(V), Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺ and Mn²⁺ have been discussed. Under the experimental conditions, the optimum adsorbent doses for GAC-Fe and GAC have been found to be 8 g/l and 24 g/l, respectively with an agitation time of 15 h. Particle size of the adsorbents (both GAC and GAC-Fe) has shown negligible effect on the removal of arsenic and Fe species. However, for Mn removal the effect of adsorbent particle size is comparatively more. Percentage removal of As(T), As(V) and As(III) increase with the decrease in initial arsenic concentration (As₀). However, the increase in percentage removal of all the arsenic species with decrease in As₀ are less for higher value of As₀ (3000–500 ppb) than those of the lower value of As₀ (500–10 ppb). The % removal of As(T), As(III), As(V), Fe, and Mn were 95%, 92.4%, 97.6%, 99% and 41.2%, respectively when 8 g/l GAC-Fe was used at the As₀ value of 200 ppb. However, for GAC these values were 55.5%, 44%, 71%, 98% and 97%. The pH and temperature of the study were 7 ± 0.1 and 30 ± 1 °C, respectively.     

Effect of PWVA/Sb2O3 complex inhibitor on the corrosion behavior of carbon steel in 55%LiBr solution

The inhibition performance of PWVA/Sb₂O₃ complex inhibitor on carbon steel was studied in 55%LiBr + 0.07 mol L⁻¹ LiOH solution. Results indicated that the complex inhibitor decreased both anodic and cathodic polarization current density and widened the passive potential region of carbon steel in test solution and can be classified as mixed inhibitor. The complex inhibitor exhibited excellent inhibition performance on carbon steel when the concentrations of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ were 300 and 200 mg L⁻¹, respectively. With the solution temperature increasing from 145 to 240 °C, the corrosion rates of carbon steel increased from 4.71 to 120.66 μm y⁻¹. In solution containing the complex inhibitor, the relationship between relative coverage ratio of inhibitor on carbon steel surface and inhibition efficiency at 145 °C was obtained as the equation μ = 0.94η, it was a direct proportion. This result proved that the complex inhibitor inhibited the corrosion of carbon steel by geometric blocking effect. When solution temperature was 160 °C, the adsorption Gibbs free energy of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ on carbon steel were −49.59 and −44.29 kJ mol⁻¹, respectively. It indicated that the adsorption processes of PWVA and Sb₂O₃ on carbon steel surface were spontaneous processes. As a strong oxidant, PWVA facilitated the compact passive film comprising of FeO, Fe₂O₃ and Fe₃O₄ forming on the surface and itself was reduced to heteropoly blue. Sb₂O₃ adsorbed on carbon steel surface formed an adsorption film. PWVA and Sb₂O₃ behaved synergistic effect. The corrosion resistance performance of carbon steel in 55%LiBr + 0.07 mol L⁻¹ LiOH solution was improved by PWVA/Sb₂O₃ complex inhibitor.     

A simple and an effective method for the fabrication of densified glass-ceramics of low temperature co-fired ceramics

This study reports a new, simple and effective pre-calcined method for fabrication BaO–TiO₂–B₂O₃–SiO₂ low temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) at a sintering temperature below 900 °C, and with dielectric losses (tan δ) lower than 2 × 10⁻³. The research results have shown that the addition of 2–5 wt% Al₂O₃ could easily eliminate the porosity of the glass-ceramics because of the excellent wetting behavior between alumina and the BaO–B₂O₃–SiO₂ glass liquid phase in the low temperature co-fired ceramic system.     

RuO2–TiO2 mixed oxides prepared from the hydrolysis of the metal alkoxides

The hydrolysis of ruthenium alkoxide/titanium tetraethoxide mixtures to gels and powders containing 30–40 mol% Ru was investigated. Basic or neutral conditions led to powders consisting of 2–10 nm diameter crystalline RuO₂ nanoparticles embedded in a matrix of crystalline (anatase) and amorphous TiO₂. Acid hydrolysis conditions gave gels containing smaller, amorphous RuO₂ nanoparticles (1–3 nm). In all samples the RuO₂ nanoparticles tended to clump into aggregates up to 0.5 μm across. Acid or neutral hydrolysis of ruthenium ethoxide gave samples which displayed lower surface Ru:Ti ratios as measured by XPS compared to the bulk (XRF), and also contained more low-valent Ru (as measured by XRF), probably due to incomplete hydrolysis of the precursors. These samples also contained more Ru metal after calcination (XRD). Calcination (450 °C) was accompanied by Ru-promoted combustion of organic material and led to crystalline (anatase) TiO₂ and Ti_xRu_1−xO₂ solid solution (rutile phase).     

Vacuum heat treatment of LiAlO2 densified silicon nitride ceramics

The aim of the present work has been to produce high-dense Si₃N₄ ceramics by a cheaper pressureless sintering method and then to attain vacuum heat treatment to remove residual grain boundary glass in gaseous form. LiAlO₂ was used as a sintering additive rather than using Li₂O, since its grain boundary glass is not stable above 1200 °C. LiAlO₂ was synthesised from 42% Li₂CO₃ and 58% Al₂O₃ powder mix reacting together at 1450 °C for 3 h in a muffle furnace. X-ray analysis showed that 95% LiAlO₂ was obtained. LiAlO₂ was milled and added to silicon nitride powder as a sintering additive. Hot-pressing and pressureless sintering of LiAlO₂ containing Si₃N₄ compacts were carried out at temperatures between 1450–1750 °C. The sintered samples were vacuum heat-treated at elevated temperatures under high vacuum to remove intergranular glass and to increase refractoriness of Si₃N₄ ceramics. Scanning electron microscope images and weight loss results showed that Li in grain boundary glass (Li–Al–Si–O–N) was successfully volatilised, and oxidation resistance of the sintered samples was increased.     

Sintering kinetics of 8Y–cubic zirconia: Cation diffusion coefficient

Zirconia ceramics, mainly of cubic phase, are used in different applications because of their particular electrical and structural properties.

After the forming stage, sintering leads to a material with suitable microstructural characteristics. The sintering process mainly depends on thermal cycle and on starting particle size and its distribution; it also depends on density and the microstructure of green material. Cubic zirconia has a high (2680 °C) melting temperature; however, effective sintering could be observed for temperatures higher than 900 °C (nanoparticles), and it may reach a final density of 96–98% the theoretical value at relative low temperatures.

The objective of this paper is to study the sintering kinetics of stabilized zirconia in its cubic phase with 8% molar of Y₂O₃ under fast firing rates up to nearly isothermal conditions. Samples were shaped from suspensions dispersed with ammonium polyacrylate by slip casting. Sintering was performed in the temperature range between 1200 °C and 1400 °C. The sintering kinetic process was followed by measuring density as a function of time. A sintering model was applied to fit the experimental data of the first steps of densification. It was observed that sintering obeys the same mechanism in the temperature and time ranges under study, which results in an activation energy of 170 kJ mol⁻¹. Sintering is controlled by Zr cation diffusion, for which a lattice diffusion coefficient of D_l = 8 × 10⁻¹² cm² s⁻¹ at 1400 °C was found, and the activation energy of the diffusion process was 223 kJ mol⁻¹.     

Sintering behavior and microwave dielectric properties of Bi3(Nb1−xTax)O7 solid solutions

Solid solutions of Bi₃(Nb_1−xTa_x)O₇ (x = 0.0, 0.3, 0.7, 1) were synthesized using solid state reaction method and their microwave dielectric properties were first reported. Pure phase of fluorite-type could be obtained after calcined at 700 °C (2 h)⁻¹ between 0 ≤ x ≤ 1 and Bi₃(Nb_1−xTa_x)O₇ ceramics could be well densified below 990 °C. As x increased from 0.0 to 1.0, saturated density of Bi₃(Nb_1−xTa_x)O₇ ceramics increased from 8.2 to 9.1 g cm⁻³, microwave permittivity decreased from 95 to 65 while Q_f values increasing from 230 to 560 GHz. Substitution of Ta for Nb modified temperature coefficient of resonant frequency τ_f from −113 ppm °C⁻¹ of Bi₃NbO₇ to −70 ppm °C⁻¹ of Bi₃TaO₇. Microwave permittivity, Q_f values and τ_f values were found to correlate strongly with the structure parameters of fluorite solid solutions and the correlation between them was discussed in detail. Considering the low densified temperature and good microwave dielectric proprieties, solid solutions of Bi₃(Nb_1−xTa_x)O₇ ceramics could be a good candidate for low temperature co-fired ceramics application.     

Thaumasite––direct, woodfordite and other possible formation routes

Two main formation routes for thaumasite exist below 15 °C. One is the direct route from C–S–H reacting with appropriate carbonate, sulfate, Ca²⁺ ions and excess water. The other route is the woodfordite route from ettringite reacting with C–S–H, carbonate, Ca²⁺ ions and excess water, in which thaumasite arises through the intermediate formation of the solid solution woodfordite. The woodfordite route for thaumasite formation appears to be relatively quicker (although still slow) than the direct route, presumably because with the former the ettringite already has the octahedral [M(OH)₆] units that can facilitate the critical change from [Al(OH)₆]³⁻ to [Si(OH)₆]²⁻ groupings. Both routes are mutually dependent on each other. The presence of magnesium salts can modify the path to thaumasite formation. High pressure might be able to stabilise [Si(OH)₆]²⁻ groupings and allow thaumasite to become formed above 15 °C. This possibility is discussed.     

Optical absorption and emission properties of Er doped mixed alkali borosilicate glasses

This paper presents the optical absorption and luminescence properties of Er³⁺ doped mixed alkali borosilicate glasses: 59.5SiO₂ · 20B₂O₃ · xLi₂O · (20 − x)Na₂O · 0.5Er₂O₃ and 59.5SiO₂ · 20B₂O₃ · xLi₂O · (20 − x)K₂O · 0.5Er₂O₃, with x = 0, 4, 8, 12, 16 and 20 mol%. The variations of Judd–Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω₂, Ω₄, and Ω₆), hypersensitive transition intensities, total radiative transition probability (A_T), radiative lifetimes (τ_R), integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ) and stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_p) as a function of x are discussed in detail. The changes in Ω₂ and intensities of hypersensitive transitions are attributed to optical basicity changes in the host glass matrix, which leads to variations in the covalency of the Er–O bond. The luminescence properties are reported for certain transitions, and the emission cross-section is high at x = 8–12 in the case of lithium sodium glass, whereas in lithium potassium glass it is high at x = 8.     

Structural and optical properties of (100 − x)(Li2B4O7) − x(SrO–Bi2O3–0.7Nb2O5–0.3V2O5) glasses and glass nanocrystal composites

Glasses of various compositions in the system (100 − x)(Li₂B₄O₇) − x(SrO–Bi₂O₃–0.7Nb₂O₅–0.3V₂O₅) (10  x  60, in molar ratio) were prepared by splat quenching technique. The glassy nature of the as-quenched samples was established by differential thermal analyses (DTA). The amorphous nature of the as-quenched glasses and crystallinity of glass nanocrystal composites were confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction studies. Glass composites comprising strontium bismuth niobate doped with vanadium (SrBi₂(Nb_0.7V_0.3)₂O_9−δ (SBVN)) nanocrystallites were obtained by controlled heat-treatment of the as-quenched glasses at 783 K for 6 h. High resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM) of the glass nanocrystal composites (heat-treated at 783 K/6 h) confirm the presence of rod shaped crystallites of SBVN embedded in Li₂B₄O₇ glass matrix. The optical transmission spectra of these glasses and glass nanocrystal composites of various compositions were recorded in the wavelength range 190–900 nm. Various optical parameters such as optical band gap (E_opt), Urbach energy (ΔE), refractive index (n), optical dielectric constant and ratio of carrier concentration to the effective mass (N/m^*) were determined. The effects of composition of the glasses and glass nanocrystal composites on these parameters were studied.