Vanadate glasses: A review of structure, properties, and applications

Glasses based on vanadium pentoxide (V₂O₅) are a unique family of materials with interesting structural motifs and properties leading to several different industrial applications. The electronic structure of vanadate glasses enables semiconducting and nonlinear optical properties, while the atomic structure of these glasses leads to a unique combination of thermal and mechanical properties. The low melting point of vanadates is appealing for glass sealant applications but requires mixing with other glass formers to suppress crystallization. In this review, sources of vanadium, solution chemistry, and crystal structures are discussed to provide important context for V₂O₅ based glasses. Current structural understanding of different vanadate compositions is critically examined, along with the impact of glass structure on properties and practical applications. Future research directions and commercial applications are discussed with consideration of the previously discussed topics.