EPR and magnetic susceptibility studies of xCr2O3-(1-x) 3B2O3-PbO glasses

By using X-ray diffraction analysis, EPR and magnetic measurements, the chromium-ion distribution in xCr₂O₃-(1–x) 3B₂O₃-PbO] glasses with 0x35 mol% Cr₂O₃ was studied. EPR investigation evidenced the presence of both Cr³⁺ and Cr⁵⁺ ions, the latter being in small proportion, in agreement with the atomic magnetic moment values. For concentrations x20 mol% Cr₂O₃ the isolated Cr³⁺ ions coexist with those coupled by super-exchange magnetic interactions, the isolated ones prevailing only for x<3 mol% Cr₂O₃. For x>20 mol % Cr₂O₃ microcrystalline precipitates were detected, giving rise to an antiferromagnetic transition with Néel temperature, N _N310 K and paramagnetic Curie temperature, _p=–480 K.