Properties and Structure of Glasses in the Binary Systems Alkali—TiO2

Glasses corresponding to mole formulas R₂TiO₃ and R₂Ti₂O₅ were prepared in 1- to 5-g quantities by quenching in a platinum crucible. K₂O, Rb₂O, and Cs₂O formed fairly stable glasses with TiO₂. On heat treatment, these glasses nucleated readily and formed opal-like glasses. Li₂O and Na₂O, however, did not form glasses with TiO₂ in 1-g quantities. Hygroscopicity increased with the alkali content and decreased with the increase in TiO₂ concentration. The refractive indices of the glasses ranged from 1.66 to 1.90. These facts indicate that TiO₂ is a glass former in its own right and that Ti⁴⁺ exists in sixfold coordination in these glasses.