Influence of CdO and gamma irradiation on the infrared absorption spectra of borosilicate glass

The effect of modifier CdO and gamma irradiation in the dose range of 0.1–60 kGy on the structure of sodium borosilicate glasses is investigated by preparing a series of glasses with compositions xCdO–15Na2O–(70 − x)B2O3–15SiO2; where x = 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 (mol%) by conventional melt quenching technique. FTIR structural studies were carried out on the glass system before and after gamma irradiation. The infrared absorption studies revealed that structure of glass network consists of [BO3], [BO4], [SiO4] and [B–O–Cd] linkages. The modifying action of cadmium oxide on the glass composition is also studied. It is observed that increased gamma radiation dose causes the B–O bond to break and form non-bridging oxygens (NBOs).