Ultrasonic and infrared measurements of copper-doped sodium phosphate glasses

Ternary sodium–phosphate–copper glasses of the composition (50 − x/2) Na2O–(50 − x/2) P2O5–xCu2O with x varying between 0.4 and 17.4 mol.% prepared by melt and annealing temperature have been characterized by FTIR spectroscopy. FTIR spectroscopy was measured in wave number range (4000–400 cm−1) to investigate the effect of Cu ions in the structure of this type of glass. Longitudinal and shear velocities were measured in different compositions of glass using pulse echo technique. Measurements were carried out at 4 MHz frequency and room temperature. Elastic moduli and some other physical parameters such as, acoustic impedance, Debye temperature, softening temperature and latent heat of melting have been calculated. Results indicate that these parameters depend upon the Cu2O modifier content. Quantitative analysis has been carried out, in order to obtain more information about the structure of these glasses, based on bond compression model, and Makishima and Mackenzie model.