X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and ionic transport studies on lead fluoroborate glasses

Abstract

Fast-anion-conducting glasses in the system xPbF2: (1 - x)B2O3 have been synthesized and analysed by thermal, electrical and spectroscopic techniques. The ionic conductivity (σ) of these glasses is measured as a function of temperature and chemical composition by the complex impedance method and the results indicate that the conduction of fluorine as charge carriers is governed by activation energy alone. Infrared and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy studies have provided evidence for fluorine participation in the borate network. Further, the compositional dependence of x-ray photoelectron F 1s spectra indicates that fluorine is incorporated predominantly as B-O-F and Pb-O-F bonds in the oxide network at high B2O3 and PbF2 content respectively. The spectroscopic results obtained are discussed in relation to anionic conduction.