X-Ray photoelectron and Mössbauer spectroscopies of a binary iron phosphate glass

Abstract
X-Ray photoelectron and Mössbauer spectra were measured on an iron phosphate glass of nominal molar composition 25Fe2O3–75P2O5. It was possible to detect the presence of high-spin iron(III) and high-spin iron(II) in the material and to evaluate their relative concentrations. The surface of the glass exposed to air shows an increase of the iron(II) concentration compared to the bulk. No magnetic phases were found in the glass down to 4.2 K.