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At least 775 records · Page 43
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2012

RHENIUM SOLUBILITY IN BOROSILICATE NUCLEAR WASTE GLASS IMPLICATIONS FOR THE PROCESSING AND IMMOBILIZATION OF TECHNETIUM-99 (AND SUPPORTING INFORMATION WITH GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT)

The immobilization of 99Tc in a suitable host matrix has proved a challenging task for researchers in the nuclear waste community around the world. At the Hanford site in Washington State in the U.S., the total amount of 99Tc in low-activity waste (LAW) is {approx} 1,300 kg and the current strategy is to immobilize the 99Tc in borosilicate glass with vitrification. In this context, the present article reports on the solubility and retention of rhenium, a nonradioactive surrogate for 99Tc, in a LAW sodium borosilicate glass. Due to the radioactive nature of technetium, rhenium was chosen as a simulant because of previously established similarities in ionic radii and other chemical aspects. The glasses containing target Re concentrations varying from 0 to10,000 ppm by mass were synthesized in vacuum-sealed quartz ampoules to minimize the loss of Re by volatilization during melting at 1000 DC. The rhenium was found to be present predominantly as Re7 + in all the glasses as observed by X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES). The solubility of Re in borosilicate glasses was determined to be {approx}3,000 ppm (by mass) using inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES). At higher rhenium concentrations, some additional material was retained in the glasses in the form of alkali perrhenate crystalline inclusions detected by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and laser ablation-ICP mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS). Assuming justifiably substantial similarities between Re7 + and Tc 7+ behavior in this glass system, these results implied that the processing and immobilization of 99Tc from radioactive wastes should not be limited by the solubility of 99Tc in borosilicate LAW glasses.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2016

Ensuring Longevity: Ancient Glasses Help Predict Durability of Vitrified Nuclear Waste

How does glass alter with time? For the last hundred years this has been an important question to the fields of object conservation and archeology to ensure the preservation of glass artifacts. This same question is part of the development and assessment of durable glass waste forms for the immobilization of nuclear wastes. Researchers have developed experiments ranging from simple to highly sophisticated to answer this question, and, as a result, have gained significant insight into the mechanisms that drive glass alteration. However, the gathered data have been predominately applicable to only short-term alteration times, i.e. over the course of decades. What has remained elusive is the long-term mechanisms of glass alteration[1]. These mechanisms are of particular interest to the international nuclear waste glass community as they strive to ensure that vitrified products will be durable for thousands to tens of thousands of years. For the last thirty years this community has been working to fill this research gap by partnering with archeologists, museum curators, and geologists to identify hundred to million-year old glass analogues that have altered in environments representative of those expected at potential nuclear waste disposal sites. The process of identifying a waste glass relevant analogue is challenging as it requires scientists to relate data collected from short-term laboratory experiments to observations made from long-term analogues and extensive geochemical modeling.

Ancient Glass↗
DOE OSTI2015

Influence of Substrate Temperature on the Transformation Front Velocities That Determine Thermal Stability of Vapor-Deposited Glasses

Stable organic glasses prepared by physical vapor deposition transform into the supercooled liquid via propagating fronts of molecular mobility, a mechanism different from that exhibited by glasses prepared by cooling the liquid. In this paper, we show that spectroscopic ellipsometry can directly observe this front-based mechanism in real time and explore how the velocity of the front depends upon the substrate temperature during deposition. For the model glass former indomethacin, we detect surface-initiated mobility fronts in glasses formed at substrate temperatures between 0.68T g and 0.94T g . At each of two annealing temperatures, the substrate temperature during deposition can change the transformation front velocity by a factor of 6, and these changes are imperfectly correlated with the density of the glass. We also observe substrate-initiated fronts at some substrate temperatures. By connecting with theoretical work, we are able to infer the relative mobilities of stable glasses prepared at different substrate temperatures. Finally, an understanding of the transformation behavior of vapor-deposited glasses may be relevant for extending the lifetime of organic semiconducting devices.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2022

Refractive Index and Abbe Number Tuning via 3D Printable Optical Quality Silica–Titania–Germania Glasses

The development of optical quality GeO 2 –TiO 2 –SiO 2 glasses compatible with direct ink writing (DIW) 3D printing is reported in this study. Colloidal GeO 2 and TiO 2 –SiO 2 core–shell feedstocks are prepared by a sol–gel method and converted to printable inks for DIW. Printed inks are subsequently densified to glass using heat treatment at temperatures up to 1100 °C in air. A series of print‐compatible glass compositions are prepared, yielding transparent glass with the highest refractive index n = 1.576. Herein, it is shown that more TiO 2 can be incorporated into the glass without haziness or scattering through the addition of GeO 2 . The mechanisms for this are discussed, and it is shown that crystallization persists in these glasses despite the lack of visible light scattering. Finally, the combination of both TiO 2 and GeO 2 into a ternary glass also is used to independently tune the dispersion properties of the glass, as demonstrated by measured refractive indices and Abbe numbers, which has potential implications for 3D‐printed optics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2019

Improving the adhesion of glass/polypropylene (glass-PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surfaces by open air plasma treatment

The objective of this study was to investigate the bonding between glass reinforced polypropylene (glass-PP) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE) surfaces. As glass-PP and HDPE surfaces possess low surface energy inherently, atmospheric plasma treatment enhances the adhesion characteristics between the surfaces by increasing their surface energies. Both the materials were subjected to atmospheric/air plasma by varying parameters such as plasma intensity and number of treatments. Optimal plasma treatment conditions were determined based on the bond strength of the materials. Various characterization techniques such as FTIR (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy), SEM (scanning electron microscopy), DSC (differential scanning calorimetry) and surface energy determination via wettability inks, were employed to understand the surface modification following plasma treatment. Furthermore, the effect of plasma treatment on glass-PP surface versus a neat polypropylene (neat PP) surface was characterized to understand and establish a baseline. Improvement in bond strength of glass-PP-HDPE panels was observed, GΙc (Mode 1 interlaminar fracture toughness) value of glass-PP- HDPE panels increased from 0.1 N/mm to 5.5 N/mm (after plasma treatment) whereas, the GΙc value of neat PP- HDPE panels increased from 0.4 N/mm to 2.8 N/mm (after plasma treatment). Enhancement in the surface energy of glass-PP and HDPE surfaces was observed, surface energy of glass-PP increased from 28 mN/m to 58 mN/m and the surface energy of HDPE surface increased from 28 mN/m to 72 mN/m.

42 ENGINEERING↗
DOE OSTI2019

Evidence of the coexistence of multivalence cerium oxide nano-particles in a sodium borate glass

In this study a sodium borate glass containing both trivalent cerium oxide and tetravalent cerium oxide states nano particles of 2–5 nm in size was successfully prepared by doping the glass with varying amounts of cerium (IV) oxide with. X-ray absorption spectroscopy measurement was used to determine the coexistence of the multivalent state of cerium oxide in the borate glass. Significant changes in the trivalent and tetravalent cerium oxide concentrations were observed when the glass was melted using different melting parameters and different raw materials. Glass made with borax that contained of 0.05mols of CeO 2 and melted at 1100 °C for 3 h had the highest concentration of trivalent cerium oxide. Transmission electron micrographs confirmed the release of trivalent Ce 2 O 3 and tetravalent CeO 2 nanoparticles from the glassy matrix. Fourier transform Infrared measurements suggest that the CeO 2 in the glass acts as both a glass-former and glass modifier.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2021

Nanoscopic structure of borosilicate glass with additives for nuclear waste vitrification

In this report we investigated the nanoscopic structure of borosilicate glasses as a host for high-level radioactive liquid waste (HLLW) in the presence of the additives Na 2 O and CaO/ZnO with and without Li 2 O. These additives have been used to lower the glass melting point, suppress the macroscopic phase separation, and increase the chemical durability of glasses. Small-angle neutron scattering was used to elucidate the effect of the additives on the nanoscopic structure along with macro- and atomic-scale observations obtained using neutron imaging and X-ray diffraction, respectively. The borosilicate glass made without Na 2 O formed a microphase-separated structure of SiO 2 - and B 2 O 3 -rich domains approximately 100 nm in size, and the material was homogeneous at length scales up to millimeters. With the addition of increasing amounts of Na 2 O, the domain spacing decreased. Introducing CaO/ZnO additives induced inhomogeneities in the glass, such as void structures several nanometers in size, although the inhomogeneity was suppressed by the coaddition of Li 2 O. These results provide insights into the performance of host glasses for HLLW vitrification. Incorporating HLLW into glasses is likely to cause changes in the nanoscopic structure of host glasses similar to those revealed here.

12 MANAGEMENT OF RADIOACTIVE AND NON-RADIOACTIVE W↗
DOE OSTI2012

Raman spectroscopy of glasses in the As-Te system

For the first time, the Raman spectra of As{sub x}Te{sub 1-x} glasses, 0.2{<=}x{<=}0.6, have been measured over the entire glass-forming range. The spectra exhibit three broad spectral features attributed to vibrations of structural units having Te-Te, As-Te and As-As bonds. The observed chemical disorder in the glasses is discussed on the basis of partial bond fractions derived from the integrated intensity of the Raman modes. The underlying structural model suggests a dissociation of AsTe- or As{sub 2}Te{sub 3}-related units in the glass melt. The spectra of glasses quenched from different temperatures, as well as those of the annealed vitreous alloys, are consistent with predictions of the model. - Graphical abstract: Raman spectra of the As{sub x}Te{sub 1-x} glasses (0.2{<=}x{<=}0.4 and 0.4{<=}x{<=}0.6). Fractional concentrations of Te-Te, As-Te and As-As bonds in the As{sub x}Te{sub 1-x} glasses calculated using experimental Raman data. The solid lines represent predictions of the dissociation model assuming that the main chemically ordered structural units are related to AsTe. Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer For the first time, the Raman spectra of As{sub x}Te{sub 1-x} glasses, 0.2{<=}x{<=}0.6, were measured. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The partial bond fractions were derived from the integrated intensity of the Raman modes. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer An empirical quantitative approach to the Raman data was proposed for the reaction modeling.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Luminescence of erbium ions in tellurite glasses

Optical characteristics of new generation of tellurite glasses having high stability against crystallization have been studied. As the initial reagents for the glasses synthesis on the base of tellurium oxide (TeO{sub 2}) there were used such oxides as WO{sub 3}, MoO{sub 3}, La{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Li{sub 2}CO{sub 3}, ZnO—Bi{sub 2}O{sub 2}CO{sub 3} and active components such as high purity Er{sub 2}O{sub 3}, Yb{sub 2}O{sub 3}, ErF{sub 3} and YbF{sub 3}. Intensities of luminescence at 1.53 µm of the erbium ions were determined after excitation at 975 nm. Experimental data obtained have shown the possibility to use the studied glasses doped by Er{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} as active elements for fiber and integrated optics. - Graphical abstract: In contrast to the case of ZBLAN glass the TeO{sub 2}–WO{sub 3} (Er{sup 3+}) glass has bright intensity of luminescence at 1.53 µm for erbium ions that should be caused by excitation at 975 nm. Experimental data obtained have shown the possibility to use the studied glasses doped by Er{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} as active elements for fiber and integrated optics. Display Omitted - Highlights: • We examined changes in growth of luminescence in doubly-doped tellurite glasses. • We found that luminescence grows in two orders by using Er{sup 3+} and Yb{sup 3+} at 1.53 μm. • We see possibility to use those glasses as active elements for integrated optics.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2015

Structural features of silver-doped phosphate glasses in zone of femtosecond laser-induced modification

Femtosecond (fs) laser writing of two-dimensional microstructures (waveguides) is demonstrated in bulk phosphate glasses doped with silver ions. Silver-content phosphate and silver-content niobium–phosphate glasses with high concentration of silver oxide 55 mol% were used as samples for fs laser writing. The chemical network structure of the synthesized samples is analyzed through Raman spectroscopy and was found to be strongly sensitive to Nb incorporation. It was found that the direct laser writing process enables not only reorganization of glass network, but also formation of color centers and silver nanoparticles that are revealed in appearance of luminescence signal and plasmon absorption. The process of NPs' formation is more efficient for Nb-phosphate glass, while color centers are preferably formed in phosphate glass. - Graphical abstract: Formation of silver NPs on the surface of 0.5Ag{sub 2}O–0.4P{sub 2}O{sub 5}–0,1Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} glass induced by CW laser irradiation. - Highlights: • The structure of 0.5Ag{sub 2}O–0.1Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}–0.4P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and 0.55Ag{sub 2}O–0.45P{sub 2}O{sub 5} glasses was investigated by Raman spectroscopy. • Fs laser writing induces formation of silver NPs in investigated glasses. • Surface plasmon resonance in the absorption spectra confirms the formation of NP. • The possibility of CW laser induced formation of silver NPs on the surface of sample with niobium is shown.

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CH↗
DOE OSTI2016

Physical and absorption properties of titanium nanoparticles incorporated into zinc magnesium phosphate glass

We report the influences of Titania (TiO{sub 2}) nanoparticles (NPs) on the physical and optical properties of melt quench synthesized zinc magnesium phosphate glasses. Five glass samples with composition (42 − x)P{sub 2}O{sub 5}–50ZnO–8MgO–xTiO{sub 2}, where x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 mol% are prepared and characterized. XRD pattern verified the amorphous nature of all samples. TEM images manifested the growth of Ti NPs of average size ≈ 5.78 nm. TiO{sub 2} NP concentration dependent variation in the physical properties including glass density, molar volume, molar refractivity, electronic polarizability and ionic packing density are determined. The values of glass refractive indices, density and ionic packing density are increased with the increase of TiO{sub 2} NP contents. Conversely, the Urbach energy, direct and indirect optical band gap are found to decrease with the increase of TiO{sub 2} NP concentration. These glass compositions may be potential for various solid state devices including laser. - Highlights: • TiO{sub 2} NP embedded self-cleaning phosphate glass are synthesized for the first time. • Well dispersed and uniform sized TiO{sub 2} NPs are grown. • Absorption spectra revealed prominent peak in the UV region. • TiO{sub 2} NPs strongly influenced the physical and absorption features of synthesized glasses. • The effects of TiO{sub 2} NPs on the physical and optical properties of these glasses are determined.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Influence of Sm2O3 addition on Judd-Ofelt parameters, thermal and optical properties of the TeO2-Li2O-ZnO-Nb2O5 glass system

Highlights: • Synthesis of Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped TeO{sub 2}-Li{sub 2}O-ZnO-Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5} glass to be used in optical devices. • Area under the peak calculations of FTIR and Raman display higher presence of BOs. • DSC plots indicate high stability and high rigidity of prepared glass samples. • Judd-Ofelt analysis shows the ionic nature of Sm{sup 3+} ions with neighboring atoms. • Higher branching ratio values obtained from {sup 6}H{sub 5/2} → {sup 6}F{sub 5/2} emission transition. - Abstract: A series of transparent and light yellow color samples composed of Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3} doped tellurium oxide glasses with chemical composition 75TeO{sub 2}-5Li{sub 2}O-10ZnO-(10-X) Nb{sub 2}O{sub 5}-XSm{sub 2}O{sub 3} was prepared by conventional melt-quenching technique. Rare earth (Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3}) was added to improve all glass properties. From obtained radiative properties, the samples which prepared with above composition can be considered as a prospect application for laser design due to higher branching ratio. The physical properties including sample density, molar volume, and OPD were measured. The glassy nature is approved by XRD analysis. The structural modification of glass forming units with introducing Sm{sub 2}O{sub 3} was studied by FTIR and Raman spectra. The intensity ratio of TeO{sub 4}/TeO{sub 3} was measured to determine the ratio of bridging/non-bridging oxygen exists in glass network. Glass thermal stability, glass transition temperature, and melting temperature were obtained from DSC plots. The UV–vis-NIR absorption spectra display 9 peaks. Optical parameters including optical band gap E{sub Opt}, Urbach energy ΔE and refractive index n were determined. From absorption spectra, Judd-Ofelt intensity parameters (Ω{sub λ} and λ = 2, 4, 6) have been derived to study bonding nature. A spectroscopic quality factor was calculated. Branching ratio (β{sub r}) and lifetime (τ) have been calculated using JO parameters. Absorption and emission cross-sections were determined to measure the probability of an absorption or emission process. Finally, we propose that these prepared samples can be used in optical devices and other applications.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2012

ESR, optical absorption, IR and Raman studies of xTeO{sub 2} + (70 - x)B{sub 2}O{sub 3} + 5TiO{sub 2} + 24R{sub 2}O:1CuO (x = 10, 35 and 60 mol%; R = Li, Na and K) quaternary glass system

Highlights: Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Peak of Cu{sup 2+} is found to be maximum at around 794 nm for lithium boro tellurite glasses. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Variation in g{sub ||} and A{sub ||} values is due to change in environment of Cu{sup 2+} ion due to the structural change in the glass. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer BO{sub 3}-BO{sub 4}{sup -} ring structure is interconnected by TeO{sub 3}{sup -} and TeO{sub 4}{sup -} groups, where the BO{sub 4}{sup -} groups are neighbors of TeO{sub 3}{sup -}groups. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer The structure comprising, isolate a BO{sub 3}{sup -}, B{sub 2}O{sub 5}, BO{sub 4}{sup -}, and metaborates, which enables glass forming for Borate rich glasses. Black-Right-Pointing-Pointer Distorted TeO{sub 4/2} network with BO{sub 3}{sup -}-BO{sub 4}{sup -} ring structure and TeO{sub 3}{sup -} group is enables glass forming for tellurite rich glasses. -- Abstract: xTeO{sub 2} + (70 - x)B{sub 2}O{sub 3} + 5TiO{sub 2} + 24R{sub 2}O:1CuO (x = 10, 35 and 60; R = Li, Na and K) glass system were studied by spectroscopic techniques such as ESR, optical absorption, Raman and IR. From ESR spectra, the spin Hamiltonian parameter values indicate that the ground state of Cu{sup 2+} is d{sub x{sup 2}-y{sup 2}} and the site symmetry around the Cu{sup 2+} ion is tetragonally distorted octahedral coordination. Bonding parameters calculated from optical absorption and ESR data are found to change with alkali oxide and TeO{sub 2} content. Bonding parameters indicate a slight covalency for the in-plane {sigma} bonding as compared to in-plane and out-of-plane {pi} bonds. Both Raman and IR results show that glass network consists of TeO{sub 3}, TeO{sub 4}, BO{sub 3}, BO{sub 4} and RiO{sub 4} group as basic structural groups. BO{sub 3}-BO{sub 4}{sup -} ring structure interconnected by TeO{sub 3}{sup -} and TeO{sub 4}{sup -} groups, where the BO{sub 4}{sup -} groups are neighbors of the TeO{sub 3}{sup -} groups. BO{sub 3} {yields} BO{sub 4} transition is also observed, which correlates with the transition of TeO{sub 4} {yields} TeO{sub 3} via TeO{sub 3+1}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Photocatalytic activity of glass ceramics containing Nasicon-type crystals

Graphical abstract: Display Omitted Highlights: ► Glass ceramics containing Nasicon-type crystals were prepared. ► The glass ceramics showed photocatalytic activity under UV irradiation. ► Higher activity was observed in the MgTi{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}- and CaTi{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6}-containing glass ceramics. -- Abstract: Glass ceramics were prepared by heat-treating MO–TiO{sub 2}–P{sub 2}O{sub 5} (M = Mg, Ca, Sr and Ba) and R{sub 2}O–TiO{sub 2}–P{sub 2}O{sub 5}–SiO{sub 2} (R = Li, Na and K) glasses, and their photocatalytic activity was investigated. The crystalline phases precipitated in the glasses were only Nasicon-type crystals, MTi{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6} or RTi{sub 2}(PO{sub 4}){sub 3}. Decomposition experiments of both methylene blue (MB) and acetaldehyde showed that the glass ceramics exhibited effective photocatalytic activity. The activity did not depend on the radius of the M{sup 2+} or R{sup +} ion, and higher activity was observed in the MgTi{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6} and CaTi{sub 4}(PO{sub 4}){sub 6} precipitated glass ceramics.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2013

Influence of Ga{sup 3+} ions on spectroscopic and dielectric features of multi component lithium lead boro bismuth silicate glasses doped with manganese ions

Graphical abstract: The plots between ε″(ω)ω vs. ε′(ω) and ε″(ω)/ω vs. ε′(ω) yield straight lines with slope 1/τ and τ, respectively. Considerable deviation from the straight line is observed in the high frequency region. Such deviation suggests spreading of relaxation times and this is attributed to the presence of multiple type of dipoles in the glass matrix. Variation of the parameters ωε″(ω) and ε″(ω)/ω with ε′(ω) of glass Li{sub 2}O–PbO–B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SiO{sub 2}–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–MnO multi-component glasses mixed with 2.0 mol% of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} measured at 373 K. - Highlights: • A series of Li{sub 2}O–PbO–B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–SiO{sub 2}–Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–MnO:Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} glasses have been synthesized. • A variety of spectroscopic and dielectric properties have been investigated. • Analysis of the results indicated that glasses with below 3.0 mol% Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} are good conducting materials. - Abstract: Multi-component glasses of the chemical composition 19.5Li{sub 2}O–20PbO–20B{sub 2}O{sub 3}–30SiO–(10 − x)Bi{sub 2}O{sub 3}–0.5MnO:xGa{sub 2}O{sub 3} with 0 ≤ x ≤ 5.0 have been synthesized. Spectroscopic (optical absorption, IR, Raman and ESR) and dielectric properties were investigated. Optical absorption and ESR spectral studies have indicated that managanese ions do exist in Mn{sup 3+} state in addition to Mn{sup 2+} state in the samples containing low concentration of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3}. The IR and Raman studies indicated increasing degree of disorder in the glass network with the concentration of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} up to 3.0 mol%. The dielectric constant, loss and ac conductivity are observed to increase with the concentration of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} up to 3.0 mol%. The quantitative analysis of the results of dielectric properties has indicated an increase in the insulating strength of the glasses as the concentration of Ga{sub 2}O{sub 3} is raised beyond 3.0 mol%. This has been attributed to adaption of gallium ions from octahedral to tetrahedral coordination.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2014

Sol–gel synthesis of silver nanocrystals embedded in sodium borosilicate monolithic transparent glass with giant third-order optical nonlinearities

Highlights: • We prepared Ag-doped sodium borosilicate monolithic glass. • The influence of temperature on the SPR absorption peak intensity was studied. • Nonlinear optical properties of the glass were investigated. • A mechanism for the formation of Ag quantum dots glass was proposed. - Abstract: We report the preparation of uniform spherical shape silver nanocrystals doped sodium borosilicate monolithic transparent glass by sol–gel method. The characterization of the resulting Ag nanocrystals was accomplished by using X-ray powder diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectrum. Surface plasma resonance absorption peaks of the silver nanocrystals glass at about 406 nm have been obtained from ultraviolet–visible absorption spectrometer and their intensity is changed with different heat treatment temperatures. We have investigated the nonlinear optical properties of silver quantum dots doped glass using Z-scan technique. Third-order nonlinear optical susceptibility χ{sup (3)} of the glass was estimated to be 1.01 × 10{sup −11} esu. In particular, a mechanism for the formation of Ag quantum dots glass is proposed. This work will significantly promote the obtained material applications in optical devices.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2015

Erbium-doped borosilicate glasses containing various amounts of P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3}: Influence of the silica content on the structure and thermal, physical, optical and luminescence properties

Highlights: • Er{sup 3+} doped borosilicate glasses were processed with different compositions and characterizations. • An increase in the SiO{sub 2} content leads to a silicate-rich environment around the Er{sup 3+} site. • An increase in the SiO{sub 2} content decreases the Er{sup 3+} absorption cross-section at 980 nm. • Glasses with 60 mol% of SiO{sub 2} exhibit a stronger emission intensity at 1530 nm than glasses with x = 50. • Highest 1.5 μm emission intensity was achieved for the Al and P containing glass with 60 mol% of SiO{sub 2}. - Abstract: The influence of the silica content on several properties of Er-doped borosilicate glasses in the presence of various amounts of P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} has been investigated. The introduction of P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and/or Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} are responsible for structural modifications in the glass network through a charge-compensation mechanism related to the formation of negatively-charged PO{sub 4} and AlO{sub 4} groups or through the formation of AlPO{sub 4}-like structural units. In this paper, we show that an increase in the SiO{sub 2} content leads to a silicate-rich environment around the Er{sup 3+} site, resulting in an increased dependence of the Er{sup 3+} ions optical and luminescence properties on the P{sub 2}O{sub 5} and/or Al{sub 2}O{sub 3} concentration. The highest emission intensity at 1.5 μm was achieved for the glass with an equal proportion of P and Al in the glass system with 60 mol% of SiO{sub 2}.

36 MATERIALS SCIENCE↗
DOE OSTI2018

Optical properties of bimetallic Au-Cu nanocrystals embedded in glass

Highlights: • Bimetallic Au-Cu/Au-Cu sosoloid nanocrystals embedded in glass have been synthesized. • We achieved good size control of the nanocrystals. • The glasses with bimetallic nanoparticles exhibit enhanced for NLO. • The mechanisms on the nonlinear effects of the obtained glasses are discussed. - Abstract: Bimetallic gold-copper and gold-copper solid solutions nanocrystals (NCs) with orthorhombic morphologies were successfully embedded in sodium borosilicate glass; these materials were fabricated via a facile and synthetic sol-gel technique. Microstructural investigations demonstrate that the Au-Cu intermetallic nanostructure is generated in the glass host. Z-scan technique was applied to reveal the third-order nonlinear optical properties of the as-obtained glasses at the wavelength of 800 nm. The as-synthesized glasses exhibit similar nonlinear behaviors with reverse saturation absorption effects and self-focusing performances. The third-order nonlinear susceptibility χ{sup (3)} values were optimized by tuning the sizes of the Au-Cu NCs. The χ{sup (3)} of Au-Cu(1), Au-Cu(2) and Au-Cu(3) measured to be 3.1 × 10{sup −12}, 5.4 × 10{sup −12}, and 4.4 × 10{sup −12} esu for the single-pulse energy of 1 μJ. We have discussed the nonlinear optical mechanism of Au-Cu sodium borosilicate glass that may be due to the quantum confinement effects and surface plasmon resonance effects.

77 NANOSCIENCE AND NANOTECHNOLOGY↗