Compositional dependence of in-vitro bioactivity in sodium calcium borate glasses

Borate glasses with composition xCaO (100−x) B₂O₃ (20≤x≤50), where x is in mole percent) and 50CaO·45B₂O₃·5Na₂O have been prepared using conventional melt quench technique. Samples were submerged in simulating body fluid solution (SBF) at 37 °C for various periods of time. After storage the samples were analyzed in order to investigate if a surface layer of hydroxyl carbonate apatite layer (HCA layer/Ca-P layer) had formed. The analysis technique used included Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The rate of HCA layer formation on the surface of exposed glass samples is determined by FTIR, percentage weight loss measurements of glass samples in SBF and variation of pH of SBF as a function of time. Increase in calcium content in the glass matrix has shown to decrease the rate of HCA formation on glass surfaces. The borate glass with x=20 has shown HCA layer formation on glass surface within two days of dipping. The bone like apatite formation of glass surface demonstrates the potential of glass for integration with bone.     

IR and Raman investigation on the structure of (100-x)B2O3-x[0.5 BaO-0.5 ZnO] glasses

Glasses with molar composition of (100-x)B₂O₃-x[0.5 BaO-0.5 ZnO], x=40, 50, 60, 70 were prepared from the melts of ZnO, BaCO₃ and H₃BO₃ mixture. The structure and thermal behavior were characterized by IR and Raman spectroscopy, DSC and Dilatometer. The investigation shows that the transition of the structural unit [BO₄] (B^IV) to [BO₃] (B^III) happens when BaO and ZnO content x increases in the borate glass, resulting in fewer B^III-O-B^IV bonds and more B^III-O-B^III bonds. At the same time, the diborate groups, which are found to be the predominant structural group of the glass with high B₂O₃ content, gradually changes into ring-type metaborate, pyro- and orthoborate groups. With increasing ZnO and BaO content x, the glass transition temperature (T_g) and the softening point (T_f) decreases, while linear expansion coefficient (α) increases, that comes from the weakening of the glass network.     

Effect of WO3 on the glass transition and crystallization kinetics of borotellurite glasses

Tellurite glasses of the system xWO₃–75TeO₂–(25 ? x)B₂O₃ (0 ≤ x ≤ 25 mol. %) were prepared and studied by differential thermal analysis to explore the effect of WO₃ on their glass transition and crystallization kinetics. The crystallization kinetics was studied under non-isothermal conditions using the formal theory of transformations for heterogeneous nucleation. The crystallization results were analyzed and both the activation energy of the crystallization process and the crystallization mechanism characterized. The phases into which the glass crystallizes were identified by X-ray diffraction. Diffractograms of the transformed material indicate the presence of microcrystallites of α-tellurite, Te_0.95W_0.05O_2.05, Te₂W and B₂O₃ in the amorphous matrix.     

Compositional effects on the optical and thermal properties of sodium borophosphate glasses

A series of sodium borophosphate glasses of the composition (1−x)NaPO₃−xB₂O₃ have been synthesised from Na₂CO₃, B₂O₃ and P₂O₅ and their optical and thermal properties investigated. The results show that refractive index (n) and glass transition temperature (T_g) show a maximum at about B/(B+P)=0.6 while thermal expansion coefficient (α) and thermo-optic coefficient (dn/dT) change monotonically with the B/(B+P) ratio. These observations can be interpreted based on the incorporation of BO₃ and BO₄ units into the glass structural network.     

Effect of Bi2O3 content on physical and optical properties of 15Li2O-15K2O-xBi2O3-(65−x) B2O3: 5V2O5 glass system

Multi-component bismuth borate glasses doped with vanadium ions 15Li₂O-15K₂O-xBi₂O₃-(65−x) B₂O₃: 5V₂O_5, (x=3, 5, 7, 10, 12 and 15) have been prepared using conventional melt quench technique. Characterization of the prepared glasses has been done using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry and density measurements. The effect of Bi₂O₃ content on the optical properties of the present glass system is studied from the optical absorption spectra recorded in the wavelength range 200-800 nm. The fundamental absorption edge has been identified from the optical absorption spectra. The values of optical band gap for indirect allowed transitions have been determined using available theories. The origin of the Urbach energy is associated with the phonon-assisted indirect transitions. The density and molar volume studies indicate that Bi₂O₃ in these glasses is acting partly as network modifier and partly as network former. The variations in the optical band gap energies, density and molar volume with Bi₂O₃ content have been discussed in terms of changes in the glass structure. Values of the theoretical optical basicity, average crosslink density and the average electronic polarizability are also reported.     

Structural and crystallization behavior of (Ba,Sr)TiO3 borosilicate glasses

Various glass samples were prepared by melt quench technique in the glass system [(Ba_{1? x} Sr _x ) TiO₃]–[2SiO₂–B₂O₃]–[K₂O] doped with 1?mole% of La₂O₃. Infrared spectra show the number of absorption peaks with different spliting in the wave number range from 450 to 4000?cm^?1. Absorption peaks occurs due to asymetric vibrational streching of borate by relaxation of the bond B–O of trigonal BO₃. Raman spectra show the Raman bands due to ring-type metaborate anions, symmetric breathing vibrations BO₃ triangles replaced by BO₄ tetrahedra, and symmetric breathing vibrations of six-member rings. The differential thermal analysis of a glass sample corresponding to composition x?=?0.0 shows crystallization temperature at 847°C and glass transition temperature at 688°C. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern of glass ceramic samples shows the major crystalline phase of BaTiO₃ whereas pyrochlore phases of barium titanium silicate. Scanning electron micrographs confirm the results of XRD as barium titanate is major crystalline phase along with pyrochlore phase of barium titanium silicate.     

Physical, optical, structural and gamma-ray shielding properties of lead sodium borate glasses

Lead sodium borate glasses with compositions xPbO:20Na₂O:(80−x)B₂O₃ (where x=5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 and 55 mol%) have been prepared using melt-quenching method and investigated on their optical, physical, structural and gamma-rays shielding properties. The densities of these glass samples were increased with increase in PbO concentration. The FTIR spectra and molar volumes indicate that PbO acts differently on this glass structures over their compositions. For the PbO composition less than 20 mol%, Pb²⁺ is incorporated as network former, while it acts as network modifier for the composition from 20-55 mol%. For gamma-ray shielding properties, parameters such as mass attenuation coefficients, effective atomic number and half value layer were increased with increase in PbO concentration. Our results showed relative difference between theory and experiment of less than 1% between experimental and theoretical values. Moreover half value layers of the glass systems have been compared with some standard radiation shielding materials and they exhibited better shielding properties than barite concrete and ferrite concrete at 15 and 25 mol% of PbO, respectively.     

Ionic conductivity in borate glasses with three types of mixed alkali cations

We have investigated the temperature- and frequency-dependent ionic conductivity in (Li_0.67 ? xNa_0.33 Rb_x)₂B₄O₇ (LNRBO) glasses with x = 0, 0.07, 0.2, 0.33, 0.47, and 0.6. The mixed alkali effect of the ternary mixed alkali system LNRBO is compared with that of the binary mixed alkali systems (Li_1 ? xNa_x)₂B₄O₇ (LNBO), (Li_1 ? xRb_x)₂B₄O₇ (LRBO) and the single alkali glass Rb₂B₄O₇ (RBO). From the results of the dc conductivity and dc activation energy, we observe that the LNRBO system exhibits the combined characteristic of binary mixed alkali systems LNBO and LRBO. It is found that the power-law exponent n for binary alkali glass is the same as that for ternary alkali glass but it is lower than that for single alkali glass. This indicates that the dimensionality of conducting pathway in the mixed alkali glasses of LNBO, LRBO and LNRBO is lower than that in the single alkali RBO. We discuss the concentration dependence of the dc conductivity and dc activation energy in the framework of the bond valence technique to reverse Monte Carlo produced structural model [Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 155507 (2003)].     

Crystalline patterning in Sm-doped sodium borate glass by CW Nd:YAG laser irradiation

Laser irradiation of glass materials has drawn much attention because this technique can offer a new processing method for spatially selected structural modification and/or crystallization in glass. Crystallized line and dot patterns at the micrometer scale were fabricated on the surface of Sm-doped sodium borate (Na₂O-B₂O₃) glass by irradiation of a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser at λ = 1064 nm. The pattern sizes could be controlled by adjusting such parameters as scan rate, exposure time, and laser power. Analyses by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction revealed that the crystalline phase is Na₃Sm₂(BO₃)₃.     

Optical absorption and emission properties of Pr and Er in lithium cesium mixed alkali borate glasses

This article presents the optical absorption and emission properties of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ in mixed alkali borate glasses of the type 68B₂O₃·xLi₂O·(32-x)Cs₂O (where x=8, 12, 16, 20 and 24). The variation of Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω_λ), the peak wavelength of the hypersensitive transitions, radiative transition probabilities (A_rad) and peak emission cross-sections (σ_p) with x in the glass matrix have been discussed in detail. The changes in position of hypersensitive transition and intensity parameters with x are correlated to the structural changes in the host matrix. The estimated radiative lifetimes (τ_R) of certain excited states of both Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ in lithium cesium mixed alkali borate glasses are reported. Branching ratios (β) and integrated absorption cross-sections (Σ) for certain important transitions are presented. Peak stimulated emission cross-sections (σ_p) are calculated for the observed emission peaks of Pr³⁺ and Er³⁺ ions in this glass matrix.     

Dissolution behaviour of iron silicate glass

A relationship between the water purifying effect and structure of 0.5xNa₂O·0.5xCaO·5Fe₂O₃·(95–x)SiO₂ glass (Na₂O/CaO = 1; NCFS glass) with ‘x’ of 20 and 50 were investigated by means of ⁵⁷Fe-Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction (XRD), induced coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), as well as absorption spectroscopy, pH and oxidation-reduction potential (ORP) measurements. In the case NCFS glass with ‘x’ of 20, dissolved amounts of total Fe, Na^?+?, and Ca^2?+? were respectively estimated to be 13.6, 39.1 and 36.7 mg/l, after 10 day-leaching test. On the other hand, the dissolved amounts of total Fe, Na^?+? and Ca^2?+? were determined to be 34.3, 647.6 and 667.6 mg/l, respectively when ‘x’ was 50. The original pH value of 6.0 was increased to 10.0 and 11.6 after leaching test of NCFS glasses with ‘x’ of 20 and 50, respectively. At the same time, the ORP value was decreased from 30.0 to ?195.8 and ?284.7 mV in the glasses with ‘x’ of 20 and 50, respectively.     

溶胶-凝胶法制备PbS量子点玻璃的研究

采用溶胶-凝胶法合成了半导体PbS量子点掺杂的Na₂O-B₂O₃-SiO₂玻璃,研究了不同热处理工艺对玻璃结构的影响,利用多种表征手段研究了量子点掺杂玻璃中的微晶结构及其光学性能.孔径分析结果表明随着热处理温度的升高玻璃内部孔径不断减小,最终孔结构几乎完全消失;红外光谱分析表明玻璃网络结构在较低温度下己经形成,随温度的升高不断密实化; X射线光电子能谱证明了玻璃中存在PbS,高分辨透射电镜表征了玻璃基质中掺杂的微晶结构是PbS,统计计算表明,玻璃中微晶的平均粒径尺寸为3.5nm;吸收光谱分析发现,微晶掺杂玻璃的吸收边界较PbS的块体材料发生了明显的蓝移,产生了量子尺寸效应;通过Z扫描技术测得其非线性折射率γ为-2.03×10^-14cm²/GW. 关键词： PbS量子点 半导体 非线性光学效应 溶胶-凝胶法     

Comparative study of thermal stability and crystallization kinetics of 70B2O3-30Bi2O3 and 70B2O3-30PbO glasses

Glasses with compositions 70B₂O₃-30Bi₂O₃ and 70B₂O₃-30PbO have been prepared and studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The crystallization kinetics of the glasses were investigated under non-isothermal conditions. From the dependence of glass-transition temperature (T_g) on heating rate, the activation energy for the glass transition was derived. Similarly the activation energy of the crystallization process was determined. Thermal stability of these glasses were achieved in terms of the characteristic temperatures, such as glass-transition temperature, T_g, onset temperature of crystallization, T_in, temperature corresponding to the maximum crystallization rate, T_p, beside the kinetic parameters, K(T_g) and K(T_p). The results revealed that 70B₂O₃-30PbO is more stable than 70B₂O₃-30Bi₂O₃. The crystallization mechanism is characterized for both 70B₂O₃-30Bi₂O₃ and 70B₂O₃-30PbO glasses (kinetic exponent n=2.06 for 70B₂O₃-30Bi₂O₃, and n=3.03 for 70B₂O₃-30PbO). The phases at which the glass crystallizes after the thermal process were identified by X-ray diffraction.     

Influence of Ag2O on crystallisation and structural modifications of phosphate glasses

A series of phosphate glasses of composition 45P₂O₅–(40???x)CaO–15Na₂O–xAg₂O (x?=?0, 3, 6, 8, 10 and 12?mol%) with different Ag₂O contents were prepared using the melt-quenching technique. The incorporated Ag₂O highly influenced the increase of its transition tendency towards crystallisation and, on contrary, reduced the degree of glassification of phosphate glasses. The lowering of glass transition temperature and increase in thermal expansion were observed in glasses against Ag₂O inclusions. The crystalline phase transitions of amorphous material during thermal treatment were confirmed by employing X-ray diffraction studies. As revealed by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, the incorporated silver oxide into phosphate glass exists in two different oxidation states, Ag₂O and AgO. The pyrophosphate and metaphosphate units were predominantly occupied in glass and glass ceramics. The elastic moduli and Vicker's hardness values exhibited the decrease in phosphate glass structural compactness due to Ag₂O-incorporation and these values were found to improve because of crystalline transitions.     

Mixed alkali effect in boroarsenate glasses

We report, for the first time the study of mixed alkali effect (MAE) in boroarsenate glasses. Density, DSC, DC electrical conductivity and IR studies have been carried out for xK₂O-(40−x)Na₂O-50B₂O₃-10As₂O₃ glasses. The DC electrical conductivity was measured in the temperature range 100 °C to below the glass transition temperature. The strength of the MAE in T_g, DC electrical conductivity and activation energy has been determined. It is observed that the strength of MAE in DC electrical conductivity is less pronounced with increase in temperature. The results are explained by the structural model recently proposed by Swenson and coworkers, supporting molecular dynamic results. The IR studies show that the glass system contains BO₃ and BO₄ units in the disordered manner.     

A determination of the distributions of quadrupole coupling constants in borate glasses using B10 NMR

A method is presented for extracting the distribution of quadrupolar coupling constants (Q_cc) for 3-coordinated boron atoms in glasses containing B₂O₃. Results are presented for vitreous B₂O₃ and seven sodium borate glasses. There is essentially no change in the average coupling constant and the distribution of coupling constants, over the composition region from 0–35 mol.% Na₂O. It is noted that a distribution in asymmetry parameter (η) can also be obtained and that it should be possible to relate the distributions in Q_cc and η to distributions in bond angles and bond lengths in the glasses.     

Structure,dielectric and bioactivity of P2O5–CaO–Na2O–B2O3 bioactive glass

Bioactive phosphate glasses have been widely investigated for bone repair. Phosphate glass system of 47P₂O₅–30.5CaO–(22.5?x)Na₂O–xB₂O₃ has been prepared by melt quenching technique. From the Raman analysis, it is confirmed that phosphate network form metaphosphate structure. Bioactivity of the glass is studied by immersing the prepared glass in simulated body fluid (SBF). All the glasses exhibited bioactivity after soaking in SBF. Addition of B₂O₃ to the glass by replacing the Na₂O produces considerable effect on the dielectric and bioactivity of the glass. Ion dynamics are also analyzed through imaginary modulus and imaginary dielectric permittivity.     

Compositional-dependent lead borate based glasses doped with Eu ions: Synthesis and spectroscopic properties

New multicomponent lead borate based glasses with various PbO/B₂O₃ weight ratio were prepared. The glass samples were analyzed in detail by using Raman and IR absorption spectroscopy. Optical properties of Eu³⁺ ions have been investigated in lead borate based systems, in which PbO/B₂O₃ weight ratios were changed from 1:2 to 8:1 in glass composition. The values of the phonon energy of the host and ⁵D₀ lifetime of Eu³⁺ decrease, whereas absorption and emission intensities, as well as bonding parameter increase with increasing PbO concentration. Additionally, spectral lines are shifted in direction to the lower frequency region. Non-monotonic dependence of the fluorescence intensity ratio R (⁵D₀-⁷F₂/⁵D₀-⁷F₁) upon PbO/B₂O₃ content has been observed in contrast to bonding parameter that is also non-linear but monotonic. Some structural and spectroscopic aspects for Eu-doped lead borate based glasses are presented.     

New alkali antimonate glasses

Glass formation has been investigated in ternary systems Sb₂O₃-PbO-M₂O in which M is alkali Li, Na and K and antimony oxide is the glass former. Alkali elements were introduced as carbonates. The size of the glass forming region is enlarged as alkali ionic radius increases. Binary Sb₂O₃-M₂O glasses were obtained: (100−x) Sb₂O₃-xLi₂O, (10<x<30), (100−x) Sb₂O₃-xNa₂O, (10<x<70), and (100−x) Sb₂O₃-xK₂O, (10<x<90). In ternary systems, PbO content could reach 60 mol%. Temperatures of glass transition, T_g, onset of crystallization, T_x, and maximum of crystallization, T_p, have been measured using differential scanning calorimetry. Depending on composition, glass transition temperature ranges from 240 to 330 °C. The incorporation of alkali oxide increases T_g while lead oxide has the reverse effect. Thermal stability range (T_x-T_g) was usually between 65 and 266 °C, while no crystallization exotherm was observed in some cases. Density and thermal expansion increases as lead concentration increases. Optical transmission has been measured. The UV cut-off depends on alkali content: samples are yellow and turn green for large K and Na content. These glasses have potential applications as low phonon energy glasses for infrared transmission or active devices.     

Physical, structural, and luminescence studies of Nd3+ doped MgO-ZnO borate glass

A series of borate glass of the system xNd₂O₃-5MgO-20ZnO-(75 ? x)B₂O₃, where x = 0.5, 1.0,1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 was successfully fabricated using melt quench method. The properties of the glass were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), absorption and luminescence spectra. The upconversion properties of Nd³⁺ doped borate glass were observed by using 574 nm excitation wavelength corresponding to ⁴ I _15/2 → ² H _114/2 transition. The emission bands centered at 460, 500 and 620 nm which corresponding to the Nd³⁺ transitions, ⁴ F _7/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, ² H _11/2 → ⁴ I _15/2, and ⁴ F _9/2 → ⁴ I _15/2 respectively were observed at room temperature. The presence of Nd³⁺ in borate based glass could intensify the upconversion luminescence spectra as it can potentially be used as host materials for upconversion lasers.