The Structure of Binary and Iron-Containing ZnO–B₂O₃ Glass by IR, Raman, and Mössbauer Spectroscopy

Abstract—The structure of binary xZnO–(100–x)B₂O₃ glass and iron-containing, 2.5Fe₂O₃–97.5[xZnO–(100–x)B₂O₃] glass with x = 40, 45, 50, and 55 mol % obtained by the melt quenching method is studied by the methods of vibrational and Mössbauer spectroscopy. It is shown that the regularities of the transformation of the local glass structure as the function of zinc oxide content are the same for the glass of both series. A relatively small addition of iron oxide results in changing glass structure on the level of superstructural groups and to the distribution of trigonal basic borate units. The concentrations of di- and trivalent iron atoms are almost independent of the composition of the glass matrix while the coordination state of Fe³⁺ ions is a function of the zinc oxide content in the studied glass.