Impact of Rare-Earth Ion Doping on Dielectric Properties of Li2O-CaO-B2O3 Glass System

Abstract

The dielectric constant (ε′), loss factor (tanδ), and ac conductivity (σ ac) of 30 Li2O-10 CaO-(60-x) B2O3: xLn2O3, where (x = 0 and 1) and (Ln = Pr, Nd, Sm, and Eu) were investigated using a frequency range of 102–105 Hz and temperature ranging from 30 °C to 250 °C in this work. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) technique was employed to confirm the glassy nature of the materials under study. The dielectric parameters ε′, tanδ, and σ ac rise when rare-earth ions are added to the glass matrix at any frequency or temperature. Dielectric breakdown and activation energies are lower in doped than in undoped glasses while ac current flows through them at room temperature. Rare-earth ion doping’s dielectric parameter values decrease with temperature as atomic number (Z) rises. The dielectric parameter values for the Pr3+ doped glass matrix are the highest. Quantum Mechanical tunnelling (QMT) model was used to describe the ac conduction behaviour of these glasses.