EPR and optical studies on binary mixed alkali-alkaline earth oxide borate glasses doped with Cu2+ ions

Mixed alkali alkaline earth oxide borate glasses of the composition (25 – x)Li₂O–xK₂O–12.5BaO–12.5MgO–49B₂O₃–1CuO (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol %) were prepared by the melt quenching technique. The X-ray diffractograms of all the glass samples were recorded at room temperature. Peak free X-ray spectra revealed the amorphous nature of all the prepared glasses. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) was used to determine the glass-transition temperature (T _g ). The probable mixed alkali effect was investigated using experimental techniques like density, molar volume, MDSC, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and optical absorption studies. From the EPR spectra the spin-Hamiltonian parameters were evaluated. The spin-Hamiltonian parameter values indicated that the ground state of (C{u^{2 + }}is{kern 1pt} {d_{{x^2} - {y^2}}}) orbital (²B_1g) and the site symmetry around Cu² is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The variation of g _|| and A _|| as a function of Li₂O content was found to be nonlinear. A broad optical absorption band was observed in all the glasses containing Cu² ions corresponding to ²B_1g → ²B_2g transition. From the optical absorption studies the values of the optical band gap (E _opt) for indirect, direct transitions and Urbarch energy (ΔE) have been evaluated. By co-relating the EPR and optical absorption data, bonding parameters α², β² and β ₁ ² were evaluated.