Glass formation tendency in the system SeO2-Ag2O-B2O3

The glass formation regions in the system SeO₂-Ag₂O-B₂O₃ have been determined using the melt quenching method of evacuated silica ampoules. The structural units forming the amorphous network have been established by IR spectroscopy. The presence of SeO₃ (ν = 820 cm⁻¹; 760-750 cm⁻¹), BO₃ (ν = 1340, 1270 cm⁻¹) and BO₄ (ν = 1050 cm⁻¹) units has been confirmed. Crystallization of Ag₂SeO₃ only has been observed in a wide concentrate region near the glass formation boundary. A model explaining the unsatisfactory glass formation ability in the system investigated has been developed. It has been suggested that Ag⁺ ions are predominantly located near the selenite units, which stimulates the formation of isolated SeO₃ groups. The transformation of BO₃ into BO₄ units is hindered by the absence of free Ag⁺ ions near the borate units.