Thermal stability and crystallization behavior of TiO2 doped ZBLAN glasses

ZBLAN glasses with the composition (in mol%) of (100 − x)(53 ZrF4 + 19 BaF2 + 5LaF3 + 3AlF3 + 20NaF) + xTiO2 (x = 0, 1.0 and 2.0 mol%) were prepared using a conventional melting technique in dry nitrogen atmosphere. The thermal stability, glass-forming ability, and crystallization kinetics of the ZBLAN system as a function of the TiO2 concentrations were investigated by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC). Also, the crystalline phases were determined by X-ray Diffraction (XRD). Our study indicates that adding TiO2 in a fluoride system improves the thermal parameters of the glass, which is interesting for applications as optical fiber.