Characterization of dry B$_{2}$O$_{3}$ glass

A sample of Puratronic B$_{2}$O$_{3}$ (Aesar) was vacuum ( 10$^{-6 }$Torr) melted in a Pt crucible at 520\r{ }C for 3 days and slow cooled to room temperature to obtain a glass. All sample manipulations were performed in a N$_{2}$ gas purged glove box. T$_{g }$ of the sample from inflexion point of the reversing heat flow in an m-DSC experiment ,using a scan rate of 3\r{ }C/min, gave a value of T$_{g}$ (mDSC) = 308(1)\r{ }C. A traditional DSC experiment, using a scan rate of 10\r{ }C/min, gave a value of T$_{g}$(DSC) = 309(2)\r{ }C. Our T$_{g}$ (DSC) value is 12\r{ }C to 20\r{ }C higher than previous reports$^{2}$ using the same scan rate. Vibrational features in IR reflectance in the 1200-1600 cm$^{-1}$ range (LO and TO modes) , and in the 3200-3600 cm$^{-1}$ range ( free and bonded water) evolve as transparent platelets are exposed to laboratory environment, providing evidence for water reactivity of dry samples. Raman scattering$^{3}$ results complement IR reflectance ones. We confirm$^{2}$ density of dry samples (1.805(4)gms/cm$^{3})$ to be somewhat less than wet ones (1.815(4) gms/cm$^{3})$. $^{2}$ Ramos et al. JNCS \underline {221}, 170 (1997). $^{3~}$F. Galeener et al, PRB \underline {22}, 3983 (1980).