PNNL

Abstract

A series of high alumina (>20 mass %) borosilicate glasses have been made and characterized based on the assumption that the primary modifier cation field strength plays a significant role in mediating glass structure of nuclear waste glasses. Any crystallization upon quenching or after heat treatment at 950 °C for 24 hours was identified and quantified by X-ray diffraction. Particular note was take of any aluminosilicates formed, such as those in the nepheline group (MAlSiO4 where M=K, Na, Li), as these remove multiple glass-formers from the network upon crystallization. The relative roles of potassium, sodium, lithium, calcium, and magnesium on glass structure and crystallization in high alumina glasses were explored using Raman and infrared vibrational spectroscopy. Strong evidence was found for the importance of 4 membered rings in glasses with 10 mol % alkaline earths (Ca, Mg).