Influence of incorporation of Fe₂O₃ content on the structural and the dielectric relaxation properties of lithium boro-vanadate oxide glass: toward ideal cathode glasses

In this study, the impact of substituting an intermediate oxide, Fe₂O₃, for a former glass network oxide, B₂O₃, on the structure and electrical properties of lithium vanadate borate glass has been assessed. Using the traditional fast quenching technique, six samples were prepared by introducing Fe₂O₃ at the expense of B₂O₃ at rates x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25. The amorphous nature of the prepared solids was confirmed based on the X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns. A rise in the concentration of BO₃ groups was seen at the expense of BO₄ groups, according to Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectral analysis. Additionally, the FTIR designated little amounts of Fe and V cations that participated in the glass matrix as glass network formers. As the Fe₂O₃ content increased, the bulk density also increased, while the glass molar volume and the interatomic spacing decreased. The electrical characterization declared an increase in the magnitudes of both the frequency-dependent and frequency-independent conductivities. One semi-circle was visible in the electric modulus spectrum, indicating a single relaxation process that adhered to the Debye model for the dielectric relaxation. According to the simulation results, the correlated barrier hopping model best describes the conduction mechanism in the examined glasses. It was discovered that the prepared glasses electronic conductivity hindered their ionic conductivity, suggesting that these glasses would make ideal cathode materials.