Diffusion of Na in sodium borate glasses

Diffusion of ²²Na in ion-conducting xNa₂O·(1?x)B₂O₃ glasses (x=0.2 and 0.3) was investigated under standard conditions and under high pressure employing the radiotracer sectioning method. A slight decrease of the diffusion coefficients with increasing time of diffusion annealing is observed and attributed to a structural relaxation of the glass network. The temperature dependence of diffusion was measured below and also in a small temperature range above the glass transition temperature (T_G). Below T_G the diffusion coefficients obey Arrhenius relations. Diffusion in the glass with x=0.3 is fast and associated with an activation enthalpy of 71 kJ mol^?1. The diffusion coefficients of the glass with x=0.2 are significantly smaller with an activation enthalpy of 112 kJ mol^?1. The activation volume ΔV of Na-diffusion in 0.3Na₂O·0.7B₂O₃ was determined from high pressure diffusion studies at 623 K. A value of 0.52 molar volume of the glass matrix was obtained. According to our knowledge this is the first measurement of an activation volume of diffusion in ion-conducting glasses. The present results will be discussed and compared with dc conductivity data for borate glasses and diffusion results for other oxide glasses reported in the literature.