Luminescence, mechanical and non-isothermal crystallization kinetics properties of MnO-doped borosilicate glasses for photonics applications

This study explores the MnO doping effects on mechanical, non-isothermal crystallization kinetics and luminescence properties of 30SiO₂–50B₂O₃-(20-x)Li₂O-xMnO (where, x = 4, 6, 8, and 10 mol%) glasses produced by melting and quenching method. Makishima-Mackenzie (M_MR) and Rocherulle (R_M) models are used to study the mechanical properties of the prepared glass samples. The FTIR spectra confirm the presence of different structural units of borate and silicate in the prepared glass samples. The Kissinger and Augis-Bennett models are used to study the activation energies (E_g, E_r, and E_c) of the prepared glasses. The substitution of Li₂O with MnO is responsible for weakening the glass network, and, consequently, glass with the highest doping of MnO (LM-10, 10 mol%) exhibits lowest network rigidity. Glass with the lowest doping of MnO (LM-4, 4 mol%) exhibits the highest activation energy (E_g) for crystallization. While glass with the highest doping of MnO (LM-10, 10 mol%) exhibits the lowest activation energy (E_g) of crystallization. The fragility index shows a decreasing trend with MnO doping and heating rates, while thermal stability shows an increasing trend with increasing MnO doping. The value of correlated colour temperature lies between 1692 and 1712 K and confirms that the MnO-doped borosilicate glasses predominantly emit in the bluish-pink region, highlighting their potential utility in photonics applications.