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Some critical observations about the degradation of glass

Journal Contribution - e-publication

Subtitle:the formation of lamellae explained
This study demonstrates that the mechanism responsible for the transformation of glass into a degradation layer is pH-dependent. In acid conditions, the transformed glass is homogeneous and brittle. In mild alkaline conditions, transformed glass is heterogeneous due to the presence of lamellae composed of silica nanoparticles and the occurrence of Ca-rich inclusions. The fundamental difference between acid and alkaline conditions cannot be explained by the currently accepted degradation mechanism based on ion exchange. To explain this critical observation, we propose a refined degradation mechanism based on existing knowledge that involves several inwardly moving reaction fronts. The fronts responsible for the transformation of the silicate network into amorphous silica are also responsible for the morphology of the transformed glass. We have identified the feedback mechanism that explains the formation of lamellae in alkaline conditions.
Journal: Journal of non-crystalline solids
ISSN: 0022-3093
Volume: 569
Publication year:2021
Keywords:A1 Journal article
BOF-keylabel:yes
BOF-publication weight:1
CSS-citation score:1
Authors from:Higher Education
Accessibility:Open