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At least 739 records · Page 41
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of processing route on electrical properties of Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} ceramics obtained by tape-casting technology

Highlights: • Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} thick films were obtained by SSR and PPM methods. • Both systems crystallize in an orthorhombic structure. • Textured characteristics were evidenced. • Grain morphology affects the P–E loops. - Abstract: Bismuth titanate powders (Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12}-BIT) were fabricated by solid state reaction (SSR) and polymeric precursor method (PPM). From these powders, Bi{sub 4}Ti{sub 3}O{sub 12} pellets were obtained by tape-casting using plate-like templates particles prepared by a molten salt method. The BIT phase crystallizes in an orthorhombic structure type with space group Fmmm. Agglomeration of the particles, which affects the densification of the ceramic, electrical conduction and leakage current at high electric fields, was monitored by transmission electronic microscopy (TEM) analyses. FEG-SEM indicated that different shape of grains of BIT ceramics was influenced by the processing route. Both SSR and PPM methods lead to unsaturated P–E loops of BIT ceramics originating from the highly c-axis orientation and high conductivity which was affected by charge carriers flowing normally to the grain boundary of the crystal lattice.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Electrical characterization of Mn doped-(Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7})Mn{sub x}(Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1-x}O{sub 3} ceramics

Highlights: • Solid state processing of the (Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7})Mn{sub x}(Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1−x}O{sub 3} ceramics. • Mn incorporated on the Ti-site into the host lattice of (Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7})Mn{sub x}(Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1−x}O{sub 3}. • NTCR behavior was observed in the sintered samples. - Abstract: (Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7})Mn{sub x}(Ti{sub 0.9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1-x}O{sub 3} (x = 0.00, 0.013, 0.015 and 0.05) ceramics were prepared by solid state sintering route at the 1500 °C for 6 h in air. Effect of Mn substitution on the structure of Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}(Ti0{sub .9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1−x}O{sub 3} perovskite was investigated systematically. Dielectric and impedance spectroscopic studies were conducted to understand the electronic microstructure of the Ba{sub 0.3}Sr{sub 0.7}(Ti0{sub .9}Zr{sub 0.1}){sub 1−x}O{sub 3} ceramics. Sample with x = 0.05 showed the highest dielectric constant (ϵ{sub r} = 1826) and low dielectric loss (tanδ = 0.001) at 10 kHz, around the room temperature, while the sample with x = 0.00 showed good microwave (MW) dielectric properties (Qf{sub o} = 838 and ϵ{sub r} = 550). The impedance spectroscopic analysis confirmed the electrical homogeneity of the samples with x = 0.013, 0.015 and 0.05, where grain boundaries dominated the conduction mechanism. Similarly, the sample with x = 0.00 was found to possess both grain boundary and bulk resistive contributions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Structure and phase formation behavior and dielectric and magnetic properties of lead iron tantalate-lead zirconate titanate multiferroic ceramics

Highlights: • The multiferroic ceramics consisted of PFT and PZT. • Crystal structure changed from cubic to mixedcubic and tetragonal with increasing PZT content. • Dielectric showed the samples underwent a typical relaxor ferroelectric behavior. • Magnetic properties showed very interesting behavior with square saturated magnetic hysteresis loops. - Abstract: Multiferroic (1 − x)Pb(Fe{sub 0.5}Ta{sub 0.5})O{sub 3}–xPb(Zr{sub 0.53}Ti{sub 0.47})O{sub 3} (or PFT–PZT) ceramics were synthesized by solid-state reaction method. The crystal structure and phase formation of the ceramics were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The local structure surrounding Fe and Ti absorbing atoms was investigated by synchrotron X-ray Absorption Near-Edge Structure (XANES) measurement. Dielectric properties were studied as a function of frequency and temperature using a LCR meter. A vibrating sample magnetometer (VSM) was used to determine the magnetic hysteresis loops. XRD study indicated that the crystal structure of the sample changed from pure cubic to mixed cubic and tetragonal with increasing PZT content. XANES measurements showed that the local structure surrounding Fe and Ti ions was similar. Dielectric study showed that the samples underwent a typical relaxor ferroelectric behavior while the magnetic properties showed very interesting behavior with square saturated magnetic hysteresis loops.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

Fabrication and characterization of millimeter-scale translucent La{sub 2}O{sub 3}-doped Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ceramic hollow spheres

Highlights: • Millimeter-scale translucent La{sub 2}O{sub 3}-doped Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} hollow spheres have been prepared. • The diameters of the prepared hollow spheres are 500–1300μm. • The degree of sphericity for the prepared hollow spheres is above 98%. • The mechanisms of transparency are discussed. - Abstract: Millimeter-scale translucent La{sub 2}O{sub 3}-doped Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ceramic hollow spheres have been successfully prepared using the oil-in-water (paraffin-in-alumina sol) droplets as precursors made by self-made T-shape micro-emulsion device. The main crystalline phase of the obtained hollow sphere is alpha alumina. The prepared translucent La{sub 2}O{sub 3}-containing Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} ceramic hollow spheres have diameters of 500–1300 μm, wall thickness of about 23 μm and the degree of sphericity of above 98%. With the increase of the La{sub 2}O{sub 3} content, grains and grain-boundaries of the alumina spherical shell for the prepared millimeter-scale hollow spheres become regular and clear gradually. When the La{sub 2}O{sub 3} content is 0.1 wt.%, the crystal surface of the obtained Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} spherical shell shows optimal grains and few pores, and its transmittance reaches 42% at 532 nm laser light. This method provides a promising technique of preparing millimeter-scale translucent ceramic hollow spheres for laser inertial confined fusion.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2016

New methods for the preparation and dielectric properties of La{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}NiO{sub 4} (x = 1/8) ceramic

Highlights: • A new fuel in solution combustion synthesis of fine powder La{sub 15/8}Sr{sub 1/8}NiO{sub 4}. • Changes in the morphology of the ceramic La{sub 15/8}Sr{sub 1/8}NiO{sub 4} after thermobaric treatment. • Changes in structural parameters of the La{sub 15/8}Sr{sub 1/8}NiO{sub 4} after thermobaric treatment. • Increase of the dielectric constant of the thermobaric treated ceramic La{sub 15/8}Sr{sub 1/8}NiO{sub 4}. • Using of dielectric modulus and impedance formalisms, of equivalent circuits method. - Abstract: The perovskite-type oxide La{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}NiO{sub 4} (x = 1/8) was prepared by a new precursor route. The reaction proceeds in the self-ignition mode. Single-phase powder and gas-tight ceramic samples can be produced by single annealing of decomposition products. It was shown that as a result of thermobaric treatment of La{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}NiO{sub 4} (x = 1/8) the solid solution La{sub 2−x}Sr{sub x}NiO{sub 4} with a higher concentration of strontium and the second phase La{sub 3}Ni{sub 2}O{sub 7} are formed. Short-term (5 min) thermobaric treatment (P = 2.5 GPa) at t° = 900 °C changes the unit cell parameters, but is not accompanied by structural transitions. At the same time, morphological restructuring of the sample occurs—the agglomerates delaminate into thin plates crystals. It was established that the permittivity of the material exposed to thermobaric treatment is much higher compared to that of the sample annealed at atmospheric pressure and virtually does not depend on frequency in a wide temperature range.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2017

Gamma ray irradiation-induced variations in structure and optical properties of cerium/titanium-doped oxyfluoride transparent glass-ceramics

Highlights: • CeO{sub 2} favors CaF{sub 2} crystallization while TiO{sub 2} suppresses CaF{sub 2} crystallization. • Doping TiO{sub 2} helps reduce intrinsic coloring caused by CeO{sub 2}. • Doping CeO{sub 2} and/or TiO{sub 2} improves defects saturation over irradiation does. • Doping CeO{sub 2} allows lower radiation induced absorption coefficient than co-doping CeO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2}. - Abstract: CeO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2}-doped oxyfluoride transparent glass ceramics with a composition of 45SiO{sub 2}–20Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}–10CaO–25CaF{sub 2} were synthesized and irradiated by gamma ray. The effects of CeO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} on the structure and optical properties of the samples before and after irradiation were investigated. Doping with CeO{sub 2} causes network depolymerization and conversion of [AlO{sub 6}] to [AlO{sub 4}], enlarging the percolation region and promoting CaF{sub 2} crystallization. Co-doping with CeO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} helps reduce the intrinsic coloring of transparent glass ceramics containing only CeO{sub 2}, and the addition of TiO{sub 2} enhances network interconnectivity, suppressing CaF{sub 2} crystallization. Doping with CeO{sub 2} and/or TiO{sub 2} improves the structural stability of transparent glass ceramics upon irradiation and maintains the optical band gap and Urbach energy constant due to the defect saturation over the irradiation dose. Doping solely with CeO{sub 2} allows for a lower radiation-induced absorption coefficient than co-doping CeO{sub 2}/TiO{sub 2} because of the enhanced crystallization induced by CeO{sub 2} and balanceable light absorption of polyvalent cerium ions.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

High energy storage density of temperature-stable X9R ceramics

Highlights: • The addition of KNbO{sub 3} improved the temperature-stable properties and energy density. • The x = 0.07 and x = 0.09 sample met the X8R requirements. • The x = 0.03 and x = 0.05 sample met the X9R requirements. • The maximum discharge energy density of x = 0.05 sample reached up to 2 J/cm{sup 3} at 17.85 kV/mm. - Abstract: The effects of KNbO{sub 3} addition on the temperature stability of dielectric properties and energy-storage performances of Sr{sub 0.5}Na{sub 0.25}Bi{sub 0.25}TiO{sub 3}-MgO ((1-x)SNBTM5-xKN) ceramics were systematically investigated. It shows that KNbO{sub 3} has completely diffused into SNBT lattice to form a solid solutions. Two obvious maxima in permittivity curves were observed due to the formation of the polar nanoregions. For the sample with x = 0.05 addition, its permittivity variation region, where △ε'/ε'{sub 25 °C} is no more than ± 15%, retains wide the range from −55 °C to 200 °C, indicating that the ceramics can meet the requirement of X9R specification. Furthermore, this sample shows a high electric breakdown strength of 17.85 kV/mm and a high discharge energy density of 2 J/cm{sup 3}. The noticeable reduced remnant polarization induced by KNbO{sub 3} addition also contributes to the improved energy-storage performances. Thus, these novel ceramics with the aforementioned characteristics will potentially benefit the applications of high pulse power capacitors at high temperatures.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
DOE OSTI2021

Chemically Inert Hydrocarbon-Based Slurries for Rapid Laser Sintering of Thin Proton-Conducting Ceramics

The process of rapid laser sintering of thin BaZrO 3 –BaCeO 3 -based proton-conducting electrolytes is being developed for easy fabrication of ceramic fuel cells and electrolyzers. However, cracks on the electrolytes caused by volume change due to chemical reactions between the basic ceramic constituents and the polar solvents during wet processing has been problematic. In order to address this issue, the use of chemically inert saturated-hydrocarbon-based slurries comprised of hexadecane, polybutene, and a long-chain saturated fatty acid were investigated in this work. By optimizing slurry composition and laser sintering conditions, a 20 mm long, 4 mm wide, 13.5-μm-thick and 97%-dense BaCe 0.7 Zr 0.1 Y 0.07 Sm 0.13 O 3-d membrane showing proton conductivity on the order of 10 –4 S•cm –1 at 600 °C was successfully prepared in just three seconds by laser sintering. As a result, the use of saturated-hydrocarbon-based slurries will facilitate wet processing and rapid laser sintering of proton-conducting ceramic electrolytes.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2020

Laser-assisted embedding of all-glass optical fiber sensors into bulk ceramics for high-temperature applications

We develop a laser-assisted sensor embedding process to embed all-glass optical fiber sensors into bulk ceramics for high-temperature applications. A specially designed two-step microchannel was fabricated on an Al 2 O 3 substrate for sensor embedment using a picosecond (ps) laser. An optical fiber Intrinsic Fabry-Perot Interferometer (IFPI) sensor was embedded at the bottom of the microchannel and covered by Al 2 O 3 slurry which was subsequently sintered by a CO 2 laser. The sensor spectrum was in-situ monitored during the laser sintering process to ensure the survival of the sensor and optimize the laser sintering parameters. By testing in furnace through high temperature, the embedded optical fiber shows improved stability after CO 2 laser sealing, resulting in the linear temperature response of the embedded optical fiber IFPI sensor. To improve the embedded IFPI sensor for thermal strain measurement, a dummy fiber was co-embedded with the sensing fiber to improve the mechanical bonding between the sensing fiber and the ceramic substrate so that the thermal strain of the ceramic substrate can apply on the sensing fiber. The response sensitivity, measurement repeatability and high-temperature long-term stability of the embedded optical fiber IFPI sensor were evaluated in this work.

47 OTHER INSTRUMENTATION↗
DOE OSTI2021

Exploring the structural uniformity and integrity of protonic ceramic thin film electrolyte using wet powder spraying

Thin protonic ceramic electrolyte contributes to lower ohmic resistance and enhances electrochemical performance of protonic ceramic electrochemical cells. However, manufacturing of large-scale thin electrolyte remains a challenge. Wet powder spraying is an attractive technique to deposit <10 µm thin electrolyte when advanced atomizing techniques and optimized spraying process are integrated. Here ultrasonic atomization is integrated in the wet powder spray technique to reduce the thickness of electrolyte. Moreover, a parametric study is conducted to optimize the wet powder spray process to deposit uniform and crack-free electrolyte film. It is illustrated that tuning of solid loading rates and spray passes can affect the morphology of the as-sprayed electrolyte film, enabling the structural compactness of the sintered electrolyte layer. To maintain chemical stability of the electrolyte layer during sintering, effect of sintering temperature is further investigated to produce a physically thin, structurally dense, and chemically homogeneous electrolyte layer. The protonic ceramic electrochemical cells fabricated with optimized spraying and sintering parameters demonstrate excellent performance under both fuel cell and electrolysis modes. In addition, the cells exhibit remarkable structural integrity during redox and long-term stability tests.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Additive manufacturing and testing of a ceramic heat exchanger for high-temperature and high-pressure applications for concentrating solar power

Heat exchangers with excellent corrosion and oxidation resistances are essential for the next-generation concentrating solar power (CSP) plants using a molten salt heat transfer fluid and a supercritical CO 2 Brayton power cycle that can operate at temperatures > 700 °C for higher efficiencies. Techniques were developed for additively manufacturing ceramic materials for applications involving high temperature, high pressure, and high corrosion resistance as needed for the CSP application. Based on a previous ceramic heat exchanger design with its cross-section geometry of the flow channels optimized for heat transfer and mechanical strength, lab-scale prototype heat exchangers, with integrated headers and incorporated flow channel dimensional compensations, were fabricated by using the binder jetting process. The printed prototype heat exchangers were successfully densified through the processes of liquid polymer infiltration and pyrolysis. In addition, thermophysical properties of the densified silicon carbide parts were measured to provide necessary design information. Experimental heat transfer testing of the lab-scale prototype heat exchanger was conducted, and the experimental data agreed reasonably well with the simulated results. Furthermore, this agreement provides validation of the simulation models for their applicability to the development of a full-scale ceramic heat exchanger.

14 SOLAR ENERGY↗
DOE OSTI2018

Olivine, dolomite and ceramic filters in one vessel to produce clean gas from biomass

Highlights: • Syngas free of particles and with very low amount of tar is produced from biomass gasification. • Combination is tested of primary catalyst in the gasifier fluidized bed with catalytic ceramic candles in its freeboard. • Remarkable process intensification and thermal integration is obtained. • The adoption of catalytic filter candles doesn’t increase the required standard filtration surface in practical applications. - Abstract: Heavy organic compounds produced during almond shells gasification in a steam and/or air atmosphere, usually called tar, are drastically reduced in the product gas by using simultaneously in one vessel a ceramic filter placed in the freeboard and a mixture of olivine and dolomite particles in the fluidized bed of the gasifier. The content of tar in the product gas during a reference gasification test with air, in presence of fresh olivine particles only, was 8600 mg/Nm{sup 3} of dry gas. By gasifying biomass with steam at the same temperature level of 820 °C in a bed of olivine and dolomite (20% by weight), and in the presence of a catalytic ceramic filter inserted in the freeboard of the fluidized bed gasifier, the level of tar was brought down to 57 mg/Nm{sup 3} of dry producct gas, with a decrease of more than two orders of magnitude.

09 BIOMASS FUELS↗
DOE OSTI2025

Scalable Bottom-Up Synthesis of Nanoporous Hexagonal Boron Nitride ( h -BN) for Large-Area Atomically Thin Ceramic Membranes

Nanopores embedded within monolayer hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) offer possibilities of creating atomically thin ceramic membranes with unique combinations of high permeance (atomic thinness), high selectivity (via molecular sieving), increased thermal stability, and superior chemical resistance. However, fabricating size-selective nanopores in monolayer h-BN via scalable top-down processes remains nontrivial due to its chemical inertness, and characterizing nanopore size distribution over a large area remains extremely challenging. Here, we demonstrate a facile and scalable approach of exploiting the chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process temperature to enable direct incorporation of subnanometer/nanoscale pores into the monolayer h-BN lattice, in combination with manufacturing compatible polymer casting to fabricate centimeter-scale nanoporous atomically thin ceramic membranes. We leverage diffusive transport of analytes including size-selective Ficoll sieving to characterize subnanometer-scale and nanoscale defects that manifest as pores in centimeter-scale h-BN membranes, overcoming previous limitations in large-area characterization of nanoscale defects in h-BN. Our approach opens a new frontier to advance atomically thin membranes to 2D ceramic materials, such as h-BN via facile and direct formation of nanopores, for size-selective separations.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2018

High temperature deformability of ductile flash-sintered ceramics via in-situ compression

Flash sintering has attracted significant attention as its remarkably rapid densification process at low sintering furnace temperature leads to the retention of fine grains and enhanced dielectric properties. However, high-temperature mechanical behaviors of flash-sintered ceramics remain poorly understood. Here, we present high-temperature (up to 600 °C) in situ compression studies on flash-sintered yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ). Below 400 °C, the YSZ exhibits high ultimate compressive strength exceeding 3.5 GPa and high inelastic strain (~8%) due primarily to phase transformation toughening. At higher temperatures, crack nucleation and propagation are significantly retarded, and prominent plasticity arises mainly from dislocation activity. The high dislocation density induced in flash-sintered ceramics may have general implications for improving the plasticity of sintered ceramic materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2022

Revitalizing interface in protonic ceramic cells by acid etch

Protonic ceramic electrochemical cells hold the promise to be operated at intermediate temperatures below 600 °C. Although the high proton conductivity of the bulk electrolyte has been demonstrated, it cannot be fully utilized in electrochemical full cells due to unknown causes. A practical solution is thus urgently needed. Here we showed that it comes from poor contacts between the low-temperature processed oxygen electrode-electrolyte interface. We demonstrated that a simple acid treatment can effectively rejuvenate the high-temperature annealed electrolyte surface, resulting in reactive bonding between the oxygen electrode and the electrolyte and improved electrochemical performance and stability. This enables exceptional protonic ceramic fuel-cell performance down to 350 °C, with peak power densities of 1.6 W cm -2 at 600 °C, 650 mW cm -2 at 450 °C, and 300 mW cm -2 at 350 °C, as well as stable electrolysis operations at large current densities above 3.9 A cm -2 under 1.4 V applied voltage at 600 °C. Furthermore, our work highlights the critical role of interfacial engineering in ceramic electrochemical devices and offers new understanding and practices towards sustainable energy infrastructure.

08 HYDROGEN↗
DOE OSTI2018

Improved high temperature radiation damage tolerance in a three-phase ceramic with heterointerfaces

Abstract Radiation damage tolerance for a variety of ceramics at high temperatures depends on the material’s resistance to nucleation and growth of extended defects. Such processes are prevalent in ceramics employed for space, nuclear fission/fusion and nuclear waste environments. This report shows that random heterointerfaces in materials with sub-micron grains can act as highly efficient sinks for point defects compared to grain boundaries in single-phase materials. The concentration of dislocation loops in a radiation damage-prone phase (Al 2 O 3 ) is significantly reduced when Al 2 O 3 is a component of a composite system as opposed to a single-phase system. These results present a novel method for designing exceptionally radiation damage tolerant ceramics at high temperatures with a stable grain size, without requiring extensive interfacial engineering or production of nanocrystalline materials.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Origin of giant permittivity and high-temperature dielectric anomaly behavior in Na{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramics

Na{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramics prepared by the conventional solid-state reaction method under various sintering conditions were found to exhibit a giant dielectric constant over 10 000 around room temperature. Two electrical responses were observed in the combined modulus and impedance plots, indicating the presence of Maxwell-Wagner relaxation. The contributions of semiconducting grains and insulating grain boundaries (corresponding to high-frequency and low-frequency electrical response, respectively) played important roles in the dielectric properties of Na{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramics. The correlations between grain boundaries resistance and low frequency dielectric loss, grains resistance and the position of dielectric loss peak were addressed. Mixed-valent structures of Cu{sup 2+}/Cu{sup 3+} and Ti{sup 3+}/Ti{sup 4+} had been determined using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. Electron hopping between Cu{sup 2+} and Cu{sup 3+} and electron transport in Ti{sup 3+}-O-Ti{sup 4+} paths were proposed as the origin of the semiconducting nature of Na{sub 0.5}Y{sub 0.5}Cu{sub 3}Ti{sub 4}O{sub 12} ceramics. In particular, high-temperature dielectric anomaly behavior was investigated in detail. A dielectric peak exhibiting relaxor-like behavior was observed around 200 Degree-Sign C, which was linked with the formation of oxygen vacancies. Based on the electric modulus results, this behavior was explored in the light of the defect formation and explained in terms of a competition process depending on the combinational contribution to polarization between n- and p-type carriers rather than a relaxation process.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

XRD and FTIR structural investigation of gadolinium-zinc-borate glass ceramics

X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy measurements have been employed to investigate the (Gd{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub x}⋅(B{sub 2}O{sub 3}){sub (60−x)}⋅(ZnO){sub 40} glass ceramics system, with 0 ≤ x ≤ 15 mol%. After heat treatment applied at 860 °C for 2 h, some structural changes were observed and new crystalline phases appeared in the structure of the samples. In these glass ceramics four crystalline phases were identified using powder diffraction files (PDF 2), namely ZnB{sub 4}O{sub 7}, Zn{sub 4}O(B{sub 6}O{sub 12}), Zn{sub 3}(BO{sub 3}){sub 2} and GdBO{sub 3}. From the XRD data, the average unit-cell parameter and the quantitative ratio of the crystallographic phases in the studied samples were evaluated. FTIR data revealed that the BO{sub 3}, BO{sub 4} and ZnO{sub 4} are the main structural units of these glass ceramics network. The compositional dependence of the different structural units which appear in the studied samples was followed.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗