Electronic polarizability and interaction parameter of gadolinium tungsten borate glasses with high WO₃ content

Glasses with the compositions of 25Gd₂O₃–xWO₃–(75−x)B₂O₃ with x=25–65 were prepared by using a conventional melt quenching method, and their electronic polarizabilities, optical basicities Λ(n_o), and interaction parameters A(n_o) were estimated from density and refractive index measurements in order to clarify the feature of electronic polarizability and bonding states in the glasses with high WO₃ contents. The optical basicity of the glasses increases monotonously with the substitution of WO₃ for B₂O₃, and contrary the interaction parameter decreases monotonously with increasing WO₃ content. A good linear correlation was observed between Λ(n_o) and A(n_o) and between the glass transition temperature and A(n_o). It was proposed that Gd₂O₃ oxide belongs to the category of basic oxide with a value of A(n_o)=0.044 Å⁻³ as similar to WO₃. The relationship between the glass formation and electronic polarizability in the glasses was discussed, and it was proposed that the glasses with high WO₃ and Gd₂O₃ contents would be a floppy network system consisting of mainly basic oxides. - Graphical abstract: This figure shows the correlation between the optical basicity and interaction parameter in borate-based glasses. The data obtained in the present study for Gd₂O₃–WO₃–B₂O₃ glasses are locating in the correlation line for other borate glasses. These results shown in Fig. 8 clearly demonstrate that Gd₂O₃–WO₃–B₂O₃ glasses having a wide range of optical basicity and interaction parameter are regarded as glasses consisting of acidic and basic oxides. - Highlights: • Gd₂O₃–WO₃–B₂O₃ glasses with high WO₃ contents were prepared. • Electronic polarizability and interaction parameter were estimated. • Optical basicity increases monotonously with increasing WO₃ content. • Interaction parameter decreases monotonously with increasing WO₃ content. • Glasses with high WO₃contents is regarded as a floppy network system