Influence of Eu3+ ions on elastic moduli and microhardness of Zinc-boro-soda-lime-silica glass system

• Main Authors: Cheong, Wei Mun, Mohd Zaid, Mohd Hafiz, Matori, Khamirul Amin, Fen, Yap Wing, Tee, Tan Sin, Loh, Zhi Wei, Mayzan, Mohd Zul Hilmi, Schmid, Siegbert
• Format: Article
• Published: Springer Science and Business Media LLC 2024
• Online Access: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/106220/; https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s12633-024-02918-9

This study focuses on zinc-boro-soda-lime-silica (ZnO − B2O3 − SLS) glasses produced through fast-cooling melt-quenching. The influence of Eu3+ ions on glass properties is explored. As Eu3+ concentration rises, bulk density and molar volume increase from 3.423 to 3.484 g/cm3 and 21.760 to 23.768 cm3/mol, respectively. X-ray diffraction indicates amorphous phase dominance supported by glassy surface morphology. Ultrasonic measurements show the increasing and decreasing trend for ultrasonic velocities and elastic moduli with increasing Eu3+ concentration. Poisson’s ratio of the samples signifies their low cross-link density behavior. Moreover, the ZBS-3Eu presents the highest microhardness value of 4.776 GPa. The sample’s fractal bond connectivity varies from 1.814 to 2.051, suggesting a 2D structure. Likewise, the ZBS-3Eu glass sample exhibits the most rigidity attributed to its highest fg value of 0.075. These findings suggest that ZBS-3Eu has the potential for applications requiring high-strength glass.