Formation and Properties of Ln-Si-O-N Glasses (Ln = Lanthanides or Y)

Homogeneous Y-Si-O-N glasses containing 15 or 20 eq% nitrogen (N) were prepared from compositions with Y/Si ratios in the vicinity of that of the lowest eutectic point on the Y₂O₃–SiO₂ phase diagram. The liquidus on the phase diagram shifted toward lower temperatures by incorporation of N. The density, the elastic moduli, and the glass transition temperature of the Y-Si-O-N glasses increased with incorporation of N. This is due to the closer packing of atoms in the glasses by the substitution of N, which is in three-fold coordination with Si, for O which is in two-fold coordination, and the stronger covalent nature of the Si–N bond compared with the Si–O bond. The coefficient of thermal expansion of the Y-Si-O-N glasses increased with increasing Y content, because the discontinuity of the glass network developed with increasing nonbridging anions by the introduction of Y. In contrast, the glass transition temperature and the elastic moduli increased with Y content due to the high coordination of Y for O, and the relatively high cationic field strength of Y. Furthermore, the effect of cationic field strength on properties of Ln-Si-O-N glasses (Ln = lanthanides or Y) is discussed.