Elastic properties and spectroscopic studies of fast ion conducting Li2OZnOB2O3 glass system

Glass systems of the composition xLi₂O-20ZnO-(80 − x)B₂O₃ where (x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 mol%) have been prepared by melt quenching technique. Elastic properties, ¹¹B MAS-NMR and IR spectroscopic studies have been employed to study the structure of Li₂O-ZnO-B₂O₃ glasses. Elastic properties have been investigated using sound velocity measurements at 10 MHz. Elastic moduli reveal trends in their compositional dependence. The bulk modulus and shear modulus increases monotonically with increase of BO₄ units, which increase the dimensionality of the network. ¹¹B MAS-NMR and IR spectra show characteristic features of borate network and compositional dependent trends as a function of Li₂O/ZnO concentration. The results are discussed in view of borate network and the dual structural role of Zn²⁺ ions. The results indicate that the Zn²⁺ are likely to occupy network-forming positions in this glass system.