The crystallization and structure features of barium-iron phosphate glasses

The crystallization and structure features of xBaO·(90-x)(60P2O5-40Fe2O3)·10CaF2 glasses, where x=0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol%, are investigated in details by using X-ray diffraction analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and differential thermal analysis. It is found that the major crystalline phase of barium iron phosphate glasses annealed between 650 °C and 850 °C is FePO4, and the crystallization is restrained by barium. The predominant infrared absorption band is attributed to the antisymmetric stretching vibrations of (PO3)(2-) in Q(1) units. Raman and Fourier transform infrared spectra reveal that the glasses' main structural networks are Q(1) and Q(0) tetrahedrons connected by P-O-P linkages. Moreover, the glass transition temperature increases with BaO content, which suggests that barium can strengthen the thermal stability of the iron phosphate glass.