The influence of Be addition on the structure and thermal properties of alkali-silicate glasses

Be-Na-(Li)-Si oxide glasses containing up to 15 mol% of BeO were prepared. Their structure was characterized by X-ray powder diffraction and Raman as well as infrared spectroscopic techniques, while their chemical compositions were examined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry. All materials were found to be amorphous and contain Al contaminations from minor dissolution of the alumina crucibles. The results of Raman and IR spectroscopies showed that BeO addition to Na-(Li)-Si glass systems resulted in the formation of [BeO4/2](2-) tetrahedra which are inserted into the silicate glass network, demonstrating the intermediate glass-forming role of BeO. In parallel, the effective destruction of Si-O-Si bridges was observed by vibrational spectroscopy. The glass transition temperature was studied by Differential Thermal Analysis and found to range from about 431 degrees C to 551 degrees C. A significant increase in T-g by 70 degrees C was found as SiO2 was substituted by up to 15 mol% BeO.