The Non-Isothermal Devitrification of Potassium Germanate Glasses

The devitrification behaviour of the glasses K₂O·xGeO₂ with x=4, 7 or 8 was examined by means of differential thermal analysis (DTA), the Fourier transformation infrared (FTIR) transmittance spectra and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The glass transition temperatures were related to the molar ratio GeO₄/GeO₆. For the glass with x=4, metastable K₄Ge₉O₂₀> crystals are initially formed and then converted at higher temperatures into stable K₂Ge₄O₉ crystals. The glasses with x=7 or 8 both devitrify into K₂Ge₇O₁₅> crystals. The effects of the specific surface area of the samples on the devitrification mechanisms were established. Bulk nucleation predominates in the glass with x=4, while the glasses with x=7 or 8 crystallize from the surface. The activation energies for crystal growth were evaluated from the DTA curves. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.