On the structural features of iron-phosphate glasses by Raman and EPR: Observation of superparamagnetic behavior differences in HfO2 or CeO2 containing glasses

Structural features of hafnium or cerium doped iron borophosphate glasses have been studied by Raman and EPR spectroscopies. Hf and Ce are introduced into the composition as surrogates for Pu. Raman spectrum of Hf and Ce free base iron phosphate glass indicate that the glass network consisted mainly of Q(1) units with contributions from Q(2) units. The general features observed for base glass are maintained in the Raman spectra of Hf/Ce containing glasses with some modifications with increasing Ce/Hf content in the composition. The EPR spectra of Hf and Ce containing glasses show different features. Super-paramagnetic domains were highlighted through EPR for all CeO2 containing glasses. (C) 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.