A basic insight on structural modification of manganese oxide nanoparticles included borotellurite glass with europium impurities

This paper reports the Manganese oxide nanoparticles (Mn3O4 NPs) concentration dependent structural modification of europium (Eu3+) doped borotellurite glass. Series of glass samples with chemical composition (59-x)TeO2-30B(3)O(3)-10MgO-1Eu(2)O(3)-xMn(3)O(4) 0.0 <= x <= 2.0 mol%) are synthesized using melt quenching method. Prepared samples are thoroughly characterized using various spectroscopic and imaging techniques. XRD pattern confirmed the samples amorphous phase and DTA results verified their thermal stability. Glass containing 1.0 mol% of NPs exhibited highest thermal stability. Influence of NPs contents on the physical properties including density, molar volume, ionic packing density, optical basicity, bonding parameters and oxygen packing density are evaluated. Mn3O4 NPs revealed two surface plasmon resonance bands positioned at 388 nm and 516 nm. FIR and Raman spectra displayed NPs assisted alteration in the Te-O-Te, BO3, BO4, TeO3 trigonal pyramidal and TeO4 trigonal bipyramidal bonding vibrations. TEM image manifested the nucleation of NPs with mean diameter similar to 15 +/- 1 nm. HRTEM data authenticated the growth of such NPs along (103) lattice plane having 0.276 nm spacing. The Mn3O4 NPs mediated modification in the overall structural properties is explained in terms of symmetry, generation of non-bridging oxygen atoms and effects of covalency. This new glass composition may generate renewed interests towards the development of functional glass useful for magneto-optic applications. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.