Density and microhardness of glasses in the SrO-B<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The density d at a temperature of 25°C is measured by the hydrostatic weighing method, the Vickers microhardness H _V is determined, and the fluctuation free volume fraction f _g is calculated for glasses in the SrO-B₂O₃-SiO₂ system with a constant strontium oxide content in the range from 35 to 45 mol %. It is demonstrated that the quantities H _V and f _g decrease and the density d increases with an increase in the SrO content.     

Physical Properties,Optical band gaps and Radiation Shielding Parameters Exploration for Dy<Superscript>3+</Superscript>-doped Alkali/Mixed Alkali Multicomponent Borate Glasses

Six compositions of 1 mol % Dy³⁺-doped multicomponent borate glasses containing single Li₂O, Na₂O, K₂O and mixed Li₂O–Na₂O, Li₂O–K₂O, and Na₂O–K₂O oxides have been synthesized by well-known melt-quenching technique. Following the measured density and refractive index values, various physical parameters were estimated for all the glass samples and differences in them are correlated with structural changes. To explore optical properties like absorption edge (λ_cut-off), optical band gap energy (E_opt), and Urbach energy (ΔE), optical absorption spectra were recorded for all the glasses. The E_g has been calculated using Davis and Mott theory for direct allowed, and indirect allowed transitions and the results were reported. The E_g values are also estimated using absorption spectrum fitting (ASF) method. The optical parameters variations have also been associated with the structural changes occurring in the glasses with different alkali/mixed alkali oxides content presence. The shielding properties of the prepared glasses were studied in terms of effective atomic numbers (Z_eff), mean free path (MFP), half value layer (HVL) and macroscopic effective removal cross-section (Σ_R). From these results, it was found that Potassium (K) glass shows superior gamma ray shielding properties due to a higher value of Z_eff and lower values of both MFP and HVL. These results indicate that the prepared glasses might be utilized in place of some common shielding materials to shield γ-rays and neutrons.     

EPR and optical studies on binary mixed alkali-alkaline earth oxide borate glasses doped with Cu<Superscript>2+</Superscript> ions

Mixed alkali alkaline earth oxide borate glasses of the composition (25 – x)Li₂O–xK₂O–12.5BaO–12.5MgO–49B₂O₃–1CuO (x = 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 mol %) were prepared by the melt quenching technique. The X-ray diffractograms of all the glass samples were recorded at room temperature. Peak free X-ray spectra revealed the amorphous nature of all the prepared glasses. Modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC) was used to determine the glass-transition temperature (T _g ). The probable mixed alkali effect was investigated using experimental techniques like density, molar volume, MDSC, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), and optical absorption studies. From the EPR spectra the spin-Hamiltonian parameters were evaluated. The spin-Hamiltonian parameter values indicated that the ground state of \(C{u^{2 + }}is{\kern 1pt} {d_{{x^2} - {y^2}}}\) orbital (²B_1g) and the site symmetry around Cu² is tetragonally distorted octahedral. The variation of g _|| and A _|| as a function of Li₂O content was found to be nonlinear. A broad optical absorption band was observed in all the glasses containing Cu² ions corresponding to ²B_1g → ²B_2g transition. From the optical absorption studies the values of the optical band gap (E _opt) for indirect, direct transitions and Urbarch energy (ΔE) have been evaluated. By co-relating the EPR and optical absorption data, bonding parameters α², β² and β ₁ ² were evaluated.     

Influence of pressure on the refractive index and relative density of glasses in the CaO-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> system

The pressure dependences of the refractive index for aluminosilicate glasses of the compositions 0.167CaO · 0.167Al₂O₃ · 0.666SiO₂ and 0.157CaO · 0.177Al₂O₃ · 0.666SiO₂ at pressures up to 6.0 GPa are determined using a polarizing interference microscope and an apparatus with diamond anvils. The compressibilities of the glasses are calculated from the measured refractive indices within the framework of the theory of photoelasticity. The structural-chemical parameters NBO/T (where NBO is the number of gram-ions of nonbridging oxygen atoms and T is the total number of gram-ions of network formers) are calculated for the glasses under investigation with allowance made for the formation of triclusters and highly coordinated aluminum.     

Problems of compatibility of the values of glass transition temperatures published in the world literature

The influence of different factors (primarily, the temperature-time conditions for preparation and measurement of samples) on the glass transition temperatures determined from the temperature dependences of properties is analyzed using the calculations performed in terms of the relaxation theory of glass transition. The most optimum conditions for measurement of the glass transition temperatures T _g that ensure the compatibility of the values of T _g obtained by different researchers are recommended. The validity of the assertion that the glass transition temperature T _g is a temperature at which the viscosity of glasses is equal to 10¹³ P is considered.     

Optical,Spectral, and Radiation-Shielding Properties of High-Lead Phosphate Glasses

The spectral, optical, physicochemical, radiative, and radiation-shielding properties of glasses in the PbO-P₂O₅-R _m O _n system (where R _m O _n stands for Group I–V element oxides) are investigated as a function of their composition. The composition of a colorless radiation-resistant high-lead glass suitable for production on a semicommercial scale is determined. The properties and optical quality parameters of the glass are studied. The new phosphate glass is a lead metaphosphate containing aluminum, alkali, and alkaline-earth oxides. This glass is resistant to radiation at doses up to 10⁷ R and has an optical transmission edge at 360 nm. The coefficient of absorption of gamma radiation for the new glass is larger than those of dense silicate flints. According to the optical parameters, the new glass lies between dense flints and dense barium flints in the Abbe diagram and compensates for the absence of the latter flints in catalogues of radiation-resistant glasses.     

Glass formation in the ZrF<Subscript>4</Subscript>-BiF<Subscript>3</Subscript>-<Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis>F (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Me</Emphasis> = Li,Na, K) fluoride systems

The glass formation in the ZrF₄-BiF₃-MeF (Me = Li, Na, K) systems is investigated. Bismuth fluorozirconate glasses are synthesized in this system, and their thermal and optical properties are described.     

Synthesis and investigation of Ag-Cs-<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">X</Emphasis> = I,Br, Cl) glasses doped with Er<Superscript>3+</Superscript>

The glass formation and crystallization of ErI₃-doped melts in the Ag-Cs-Pb-X (X = I, Br, Cl) are investigated in the section corresponding to the cation ratio Ag: Cs: Pb = 59: 39: 2 with ErI₃ contents of 0.2–7.5 mol %. The glass transition, crystallization, and melting temperatures are determined for a number of compositions. The primary crystalline phases that precipitate from melts upon crystallization are identified. It is demonstrated that the iodide, bromide, and chloride glasses containing up to 0.5 mol % ErI₃ have the lowest crystallization ability. An increase in the ErI₃ content leads to the precipitation of unidentified erbium-containing phases from melts upon cooling and to an increase in the crystallization ability of glasses. The spectral and luminescence properties of the glass of the composition 52Ag · 17AgCl · 39CsBr · 2PbCl₂ + 0.5 mol % ErI₃ are studied in the range of the ⁴ I _13/2 → ⁴ I _15/2 transition of the Er³⁺ ion. It is found that the lifetime of the ⁴ I _13/2 → ⁴ I _15/2 level of the Er³⁺ ion is equal to 10 ms.     

Structure-Property Relations in Barium Borate Glasses from Raman Scattering Data

Glasses in the xBaO-(100 ? x)B₂O₃ system (x = 16–50 mol %) are investigated by Raman spectroscopy. The spectral forms of stoichiometric groupings are separated from the experimental Raman spectra. The diagram of the content of these groupings in glasses is constructed. The diagram obtained makes it possible to calculate the densities, refractive indices, temperature coefficients of linear expansion, and fractions of four-fold-coordinated boron atoms with the use of the experimentally determined partial properties of the groupings. It is revealed that the dependences of the boson peak intensity, the boson peak frequency, and the glass transition temperature on the composition of glasses in the barium borate system correlate with each other.     

Parameters of luminescence and the local structure of Eu<Superscript>3+</Superscript> centers in fluorogermanate glasses

The influence of the chemical nature of the local environment of Eu³⁺ ions on the parameters of luminescence of these centers in glasses of the (BaGeO₃)_{1 ? x ? y} (Al₂O₃) _x (0.45CaF₂ · 0.55MgF₂) _y (x = 0.25, y = 0; x = 0.17, y = 0.17; x = 0.15, y = 0.22; x = 0.07, y = 37.00; x = 0, y = 0.45) system is investigated. The oxidation state of europium atoms and the degree of homogeneity of their local environment in the glasses are determined using ¹⁵¹Eu Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Effect of iron oxide (Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>) on the structural,optical, electrical,and dielectric properties of SrO–V<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>5</Subscript> glasses

The oxide glass system of the composition (10 – x)SrO–xFe₂O₃–90V₂O₅, (x = 0, 2, 4, 6 and 8 mol %) were prepared by a standard melt quenching technique. The amorphous nature of the prepared glass was confirmed using X-ray diffraction technique. The infrared spectra of these glasses were recorded over a continuous spectral range (850–1500 cm^–1). The density of prepared sample was obtained by the Archimedes principle. The physical parameters of the glasses were also determined with respect to the composition. Density increases from 3.10 to 3.20 g/cm³, whereas the molar volume decreases with the increase in Fe₂O₃ concentration. In order to study optical properties, absorption spectra were measured at room temperature. Indirect optical energy band gap, optical dielectric constant, refractive index were calculated from optical energy band gap. The refractive index decreases gradually with the increase in Fe₂O₃ content due to increase of bridging oxygen’s. For temperatures from 300 to 500 K, the dc conductivity increased with the increasing Fe₂O₃ content. The dielectric properties like dielectric constant, dielectric loss factor and dielectric loss tangent investigated at the room temperature in the frequency range of 10 kHz to 1 MHz decreases with frequency. The dielectric behavior shows strong frequency as well as composition dependence.     

Preparation of Mg–Zn bimetallic doped Na-containing bioceramic from sodium metasilicate

Glass–ceramic materials in the composition (mol%) 23.5 Na₂O–23.5CaO–xMgO–xZnO–47SiO₂–(6-2x) P₂O₅ (x = 0 and 1.5) were prepared by the sol–gel technique using sodium metasilicate (Na₂SiO₃) as source of Na₂O and SiO₂. Bioactivity was investigated in vitro by examining apatite formation on the surface of the samples after treatment in acellular simulated body fluid (SBF). Formation of bioactive apatite layer on the samples was confirmed by using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Reactivity of the materials in SBF was based on changes in pH and ionic concentration of the solution as a function of immersion duration. Results obtained indicated that the sample doped with Mg and Zn exhibited greater crystallinity containing phases such as CaMgSi₂O₆, Ca₂MgSi₂O₇, CaSiO₃, Na₂CaSi₃O₉, Na₂CaSi₃O₈, CaZnSi₂O₇ and a new secondary phase, clinohedrite (CaZnSiO₄·H₂O), while the undoped sample contained a single crystalline phase composed of Na₂Ca₂Si₃O₉. After 7 days in SBF, phase transformation occurred at different rates on the materials leading to formation of apatite layer. The result shows that controlled amounts of MgO and ZnO may be useful in tuning up the mechanical properties of bioactive glasses while maintaining bioactivity.     

Thermal expansion and phase transitions in K<Subscript>1 − <Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>Rb<Subscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">x</Emphasis></Subscript>BSi<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>6</Subscript> leucite borosilicate solid solutions

Continuous solid solutions and the reversible phase transition from the I-43d cubic phase to the Ia-3d cubic phase are revealed in the borosilicate series K_{1 ? x} Rb _x BSi₂O₆. Samples in the KBSi₂O₆-RbBSi₂O₆ system are prepared by solid-phase synthesis and crystallization of glasses and investigated using the annealing and quenching technique, high-temperature X-ray diffraction, and dilatometry. The above polymorphic phase transition is observed in all solid solutions at temperatures in the range from 330 to 430°C depending on the composition: an increase in the rubidium content in the solid solution leads to a gradual decrease in the phase transition temperature. The linear thermal expansion coefficients α are determined for solid solutions of different crystalline modifications and glasses. The linear thermal expansion coefficients α for the I-43d low-temperature phase are equal to (20–23) × 10^?6 K^?1 according to the X-ray diffraction data and (21–24) × 10^?6 K^?1 according to the dilatometric data. The values of α for the Ia-3d high-temperature phase lie in the range (4–9) × 10^?6 K^?1 according to the X-ray diffraction data and in the range (6–9) × 10^?6 K^?1 according to the dilatometric data. The linear thermal expansion coefficients for both modifications decrease with an increase in the rubidium content in the solid solutions. The linear thermal expansion coefficients for glasses α = (10–11) × 10^?6 K^?1 are close to those for the high-temperature modification and virtually independent of the sample composition. The I-43d (cubic) ai I4₁/a (tetragonal) o Ia-3d (cubic) polymorphic phase transitions in the KBSi₂O₆ compound are revealed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and dilatometry. Their reversibility is confirmed by the DSC data.     

On the critical displacement of excited kinetic units in liquids and glasses

The critical displacement of an atom (a group of atoms) in inorganic glasses Δr _m, which corresponds to the maximum of the interatomic attractive force, is calculated using available data on the surface tension and elastic constants. It is found that the critical atomic displacement Δr _m is close in order of magnitude to the linear dimension of the activation volume of atomic excitation v _h ^1/3 for glasses in the As-S and Ge-As-S systems with a chain structure and is considerably less than the value of v _h ^1/3 for alkali silicate glasses and glasses in the Cd-As system with a structure involving ionic sublattices. A relationship for calculating the activation volume of the atomic excitation from data on the glass transition temperature and elastic constants is derived within the model of an excited state.     

Investigation of the fast relaxation in glass-forming selenium by low-frequency Raman spectroscopy

The low-frequency Raman spectra of liquid and vitreous selenium are investigated. It is demonstrated that the temperature dependence of the intensity of the fast relaxation at the glass transition temperature (T _g = 308 K) exhibits a specific feature. This feature manifests itself in a sharper increase in the intensity at temperatures T > T _g as compared to that observed at lower temperatures. The intensities of the fast relaxation at the critical temperature T _c are evaluated by the extrapolation of the linear dependence to the temperature range T > T _g in the framework of the mode-coupling theory. The new results obtained for selenium are compared with the available data for other glass-forming materials (boron oxide, toluene, arsenic sulfide). It is shown that, for all the glasses under investigation, the parameter describing the contribution of the fast relaxation to the Raman spectrum takes on the same value at the critical temperature T _c and is approximately equal to 0.3.     

Gel-derived SiO2–CaO–P2O5 bioactive glasses and glass-ceramics modified by SrO addition

The effect of SrO substitution for CaO in two sol–gel glasses with different chemical compositions (mol%) A2Sr: (54−x)CaO–xSrO–6P₂O₅–40SiO₂ and S2Sr: (16−x)CaO–xSrO–4P₂O₅–80SiO₂ (x=0, 1, 3 and 5) stabilized at 700 °C on their structure (XRD, FTIR) and bioactive properties (SBF test) was investigated. Preliminary in vitro tests using human articular chondrocytes of selected A2Sr glass were also conducted. Moreover, the subject of this study was to detect the changes on material properties after heat treatment at 1300 °C. The results show that the effect of strontium substitution on structure, bioactivity and crystallization after treatment at both the above temperatures strongly depends on CaO/SiO₂ molar ratio. The presence of 3–5 mol% of strontium ions creates more expanded glass structure but does not markedly affect crystallization ability after low temperature treatment. Sintering at 1300 °C of A2 type glasses results in crystallization of pseudowollastonite, hydroxyapatite and also Sr-substituted hydroxyapatite for 3–5 mol% of SrO substitution. The increase of strontium concentration in silica-rich materials after sintering leads to appearance of calcium strontium phosphate instead of calcium phosphate. Bioactivity evaluation indicates that substitution of Sr for Ca delays calcium phosphate formation on the materials surface only in the case of silica-rich glasses treated at 700 °C. Calcium-rich glasses, after both temperature treatments, reveals high bioactivity, while crystal size of hydroxyapatite decreases with increasing Sr content. High temperature treatment of high-silica glasses inhibits their bioactivity. Preliminary in vitro tests shows Sr addition to have a positive effects on human articular chondrocytes proliferation and to inhibit cell matrix biomineralization.     

Partition of <Emphasis Type="Italic">n</Emphasis>-Butanol Among Phases and Solubilization Ability of Winsor type III Microemulsions

The partition of n-butanol in Winsor type III (W-III) microemulsions was investigated in this work. Three kinds of anionic surfactants (sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), sodium dodecyl sulfonate (DSS), and sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS)) and two kinds of anionic/cationic surfactant mixtures (SDS/octadecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (OTAC) mixtures and DSS/OTAC mixtures) were studied. Internal standard gas chromatography was employed in n-butanol content analysis. The results showed that no water exists in the excess oil (EO) phase and no oil exists in the excess water (EW) phase. For the W-III microemulsions obtained by salinity scanning, relatively constant n-butanol content in the EO (11–12 v%) and EW (1–4 v%) was found under different salinities. Accurate measurement of n-butanol content in each phase is important for those systems having low solubilization ability. For the W-III microemulsions prepared using SDS/OTAC surfactant mixture, the percentage of n-butanol distributed into the interfacial layer decreased while the fraction of n-butanol in the interfacial layer first increased sharply and then tended to be stable with the addition of n-butanol. For the different optimum W-III microemulsion systems tested, most of the surfactant-to-alcohol molar ratio data are near 1:3, but obvious deviation could be observed for some data. On the basis of the accurate measurement of n-butanol content in the EO and EW phases, the standard free energy, ΔG _o→in ^* (T = 298.15 K) of n-butanol transferring from the EO phase to the interfacial region was calculated. The results show negative ΔG _o→in ^* values. For microemulsions with the same components, n-butanol content is an important factor influencing the ΔG _o→in ^* value, and a high absolute value of ΔG _o→in ^* leads to high solubilization ability.     

Raman spectra and surface structure of CaO-Fe<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-Al<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>-SiO<Subscript>2</Subscript> glass leached in potassium hydroxide solutions

It is difficult to research on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash during leaching reaction due to crystalline phase and complex structure. In the present work, in order to reveal the effects of leaching reaction on the surface structure of amorphous phase in fly ash, the modelling CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass was prepared by the traditional melting methods. The leaching reaction of CaO-Fe₂O₃-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glass with 7.5 M KOH was investigated by spectroscopy, spectrophotometer and wet chemical method. The results show that the content of Q ¹, Q ², Q ³ and Q ⁴ of glass without corrosion was 4.21, 9.51, 23.03 and 52.55%, respectively, which shows that the network polymerization of glass is compact. The leaching reaction of glass can be described by the following equation: dS/dt = k/(r + S ₀). Leaching in KOH for various times induces the content of Q ⁴ and Q ¹ to be decreased, and Q ² and Q ³ increased, resulted in the depolymerization of network and the surface glass dissolved in alkaline solution to form a gel phase. In stage one of leaching reaction, the rate of iron ion leached from glass surface was slow, which resulted in the small slope of straight-line relationship of leaching curve. In the following stage, the leaching rate of iron ion increased with the prolongation of time.     

SHS-produced Co<Superscript>2+</Superscript>Ti<Superscript>4+</Superscript>-doped barium and strontium hexaferrites: Static and dynamic magnetic properties

Static and dynamic magnetic properties of SHS-produced BaFe_12–2x (Co _х Ti _х )O₁₉ (х = 1.0, 1.1, 1.2) and SrFe_12–2y (Co _y Ti _y )O₁₉ (0 ≤ y ≤ 1.0) hexaferrites were characterized by magnetization and FMR measurements. Dynamic properties of SrFe_12–2y (Co _y Ti _y )O₁₉ hexaferrites were rationalized in terms of not only magnetic anisotropy but also the anisotropy of magnetomechanical ratio. SHS-produced ferrites can be recommended for designing radar-absorbent coatings and other SHF devices operating in the range 20–50 GHz.     

AC Conductivity and Dielectric Behavior of Silicophosphate Glass Doped by Nd<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Silicophosphate glasses of nominal composition (P₂ O ₅ 50%-SiO₂ 30%-Na₂O 20%) and Nd₂ O ₃ additive (0.5 and 2 wt%) were prepared and dielectric behavior has been studied over a temperature range (302–483 K) in the frequency range (0.5 - 3243 kHz). Frequency dependence of AC conductivity (σ _ac), has been explored using the universal power law. Disparity of the frequency exponent (s) with temperature was examined in terms of diverse conduction mechanisms. The principal conduction mechanisms were found correlated to both barrier hopping (CBH) and quantum mechanical tunneling (QMT) models. Temperature dependence of σ _ac (ω) showed a linear increase with different frequencies. In addition, the capacitance, loss tangent, dielectric loss and dielectric constant were calculated over variable temperature ranges and frequencies.