Compositional dependence of structure, optical and electrochemical properties of antimony(III) oxide doped lead glasses and vitroceramics

Abstract New x Sb 2 O 3 ∙(100− x )[4PbO 2 ∙Pb] antimony-lead oxide glasses and vitroceramics with x =0–20 mol% Sb 2 O 3 were prepared by melt-quenching method. Structural and behavioral investigation of samples was performed by XRD, FTIR and UV–vis spectroscopies and cyclic voltammetry measurements. Effects induced by increasing the Sb 2 O 3 content of samples on their structure, optical and electrochemical properties are discussed. XRD data reveal that for samples with x ≥15 mol% Sb 2 O 3 vitroceramics were obtained. The crystalline phase was identified as the β-Sb 2 O 4 built up of [Sb V O 6 ] and [Sb III O 4 E] structural units. In agreement with the XRD data, FTIR spectroscopy investigation shows that increasing the Sb 2 O 3 content of the antimony-lead glasses produces structural modifications of the host matrix. UV–vis data show that the Sb 2 O 3 content of the samples and the valence state of antimony plays a significant role in improving the gap energy. Thus, the incorporation of Sb 2 O 3 up to 15 mol% decreases abruptly the gap energy due to the tendency of Sb +3 ions to be oxidized to Sb +5 ions. This process increases the amount of carriers in the host network. Cyclic voltammograms of antimony-lead glasses exhibit a good reversibility and show an improved electrochemical performance in comparison with that of lead glasses. The antimony-lead glasses are potential candidates as electrodes for rechargeable batteries.