PbCl₂ conducting glasses with mixed glass formers

Glasses of the formula xPbCl₂-(30-x)PbO-40B₂O₃-30P₂O₅ (0<or=x<or=30 mol%) were prepared and their physical properties have been studied. To enhance the conductivity of these glasses, the 'mixed former effect' and the halide salt (PbCl₂) doping effect have been combined. The decrease in T_g and increase in both the thermal expansion coefficient and the molar volume with increasing amount of PbCl₂ support the idea of expansion of the glass network by chlorine ions. Because of this expansion, a more open and weaker network is formed. The electrical properties can be well described by the open network model. The experimental data suggest that Cl^- ions form additional migration pathways which are important for the conduction mechanisms.