Abstract
Lead silicate glass systems with different concentrations of cadmium oxide had been prepared and characterized. The XRD analysis indicated the all samples in glassy state. The FTIRpectroscopy indicated a glass modifier role of CdO that was deduced from the formation of [CdO6] structural units. The compositional dependence of the physical parameters such as the density, the molar volume, the optical band gap, the ultrasonic velocities and the elastic moduli on CdO content were determined. The decrease of the ultrasonic velocities, the elastic moduli (experimentally determined and theoretically computed according to Makishima-Mackenzie model) with the addition of CdO was attributed to the decreased compactness and rigidity. These physical parameters revealed the glass modifier role of cadmium oxide.