JOURNAL OF NON-CRYSTALLINE SOLIDS, v.279, no.2-3, pp.97 - 109
Abstract
The Raman spectra of binary xNa2S+(1-x)B2S3 glasses and polycrystals have been measured for the first time and are used to develop a structural model of the sodium thioborate glasses. The Raman spectra confirm our previous infrared (IR) experimental conclusions that the structure of vitreous (ν-B2S3) is comprised of B3(0) groups and six-membered rings. It was also found that as sodium sulfide is added to the glass in the low alkali (x<0.35) glass forming region, the B4 groups are formed at the expense of the B3(0) groups first and then from the six-membered ring groups. The Raman spectra are also consistent with the presence of a pyramidal structural arrangement of B4 groups with trigonally coordinated sulfur atoms. This structure could explain the existence of the super-stoichiometric amounts of B4 groups found using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Glasses in the high alkali region (0.50