Characterization studies in the glassy region of the TeO₂-B ₂O₃ system

Tellurite glasses have become preferable host materials for optical applications due to their promising properties such as relatively low-phonon energy, high refractive index, low crystallization ability, low glass transition and melting temperature. In the present study, glass forming region of the B₂O₃ containing tellurite glasses was investigated by performing thermal, phase and microstructural characterizations. Experimental studies were conducted on preparing two different compositions of (1-x)TeO ₂-XB₂O₃, where X = 0.20 and 0.225 in molar ratio. Homogeneously mixed powders were melted at 800 °C in a platinum crucible with a closed lid, waited for 30 minutes and quenched in water bath. DTA analyses were realized to investigate the thermal behavior of the samples. According to the DTA results, samples were heat-treated above the crystallization temperatures for 24 hours and then furnace cooled in order to obtain thermal equilibrium. XRD and SEM/EDS studies were performed on the heat-treated samples for microstructural analysis.