LAUSR

Abstract In the present work, Li2SO4 was added in 40Li2O-38B2O3-20SiO2-2P2O5 glass system at the cost of B2O3. The variation in glass transition temperature (Tg), density, molar volume, oxygen packing density, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, electrical conductivity, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectra have been studied for these glasses. Ionic transport number measurement indicates the predominant ion-conducting behaviour of the present glass system. The decrease in Tg and density suggests the weakening of the glass matrix and an increase in vacant sites for ion migration, leading to increased ionic conductivity. There is an excellent correlation in the variation of Tg, density, ionic conductivity and FTIR results of glass samples with addition of Li2SO4. Among all the glass samples, 7.5 mol% Li2SO4 added glass shows the highest ionic conductivity of 1.5 × 10−2 S/cm at 250 °C. The results of molar volume and oxygen packing density also support the observed variation in conductivity with the addition of Li2SO4. This glass composition has the potential for being used as a solid electrolyte in electrochemical applications.