Non-Blinking Luminescence from Charged Single Graphene Quantum Dots

Photoluminescence blinking behavior from single quantum dots under steady illumination is an important but controversial topic. Its occurrence has impeded the use of single quantum dots in bioimaging. Different mechanisms have been proposed to account for it, although controversial, the most important of which is the non-radiative Auger recombination mechanism whereby photocharging of quantum dots can lead to the blinking phenomenon. Here, the singly charged trion, which maintains photon emission, including radiative recombination and non-radiative Auger recombination, leads to fluorescence non-blinking which is observed in photocharged single graphene quantum dots (GQDs). This phenomenon can be explained in terms of different energy levels in the GQDs, caused by various oxygen-containing functional groups in the single GQDs. The suppressed blinking is due to the filling of trap sites owing to a Coulomb blockade. These results provide a profound understanding of the special optical properties of GQDs, affording a reference for further in-depth research.

From Molten Calcium Aluminates through Phase Transitions to Cement Phases

Crystalline calcium aluminates are a critical setting agent in cement. To date, few have explored the microscopic and dynamic mechanism of the transitions from molten aluminate liquids, through the supercooled state to glassy and crystalline phases, during cement clinker production. Herein, the first in situ measurements of viscosity and density are reported across all the principal molten phases, relevant to their eventual crystalline structures. Bulk atomistic computer simulations confirm that thermophysical properties scale with the evolution of network substructures interpenetrating melts on the nanoscale. It is demonstrated that the glass transition temperature (T g) follows the eutectic profile of the liquidus temperature (T m), coinciding with the melting zone in cement production. The viscosity has been uniquely charted over 14 decades for each calcium-aluminate phase, projecting and justifying the different temperature zones used in cement manufacture. The fragile-strong phase transitions are revealed across all supercooled phases coinciding with heterogeneous nucleation close to 1.2T g, where sintering and quenching occur in industrial-scale cement processing.

Author Correction: Poisson's ratio and modern materials

In the version of this Review Article originally published, parentheses were misplaced and the longitudinal and transverse speeds were inverted in two expressions for Poisson's ratio in Box 2; the expressions should have read, respectively, ν = (3B/G - 2)/(6B/G + 2) and ν = [½(V_l/V_t)² - 1]/[(V_l/V_t)² - 1].

Kinetics of Decelerated Melting

Melting presents one of the most prominent phenomena in condensed matter science. Its microscopic understanding, however, is still fragmented, ranging from simplistic theory to the observation of melting point depressions. Here, a multimethod experimental approach is combined with computational simulation to study the microscopic mechanism of melting between these two extremes. Crystalline structures are exploited in which melting occurs into a metastable liquid close to its glass transition temperature. The associated sluggish dynamics concur with real-time observation of homogeneous melting. In-depth information on the structural signature is obtained from various independent spectroscopic and scattering methods, revealing a step-wise nature of the transition before reaching the liquid state. A kinetic model is derived in which the first reaction step is promoted by local instability events, and the second is driven by diffusive mobility. Computational simulation provides further confirmation for the sequential reaction steps and for the details of the associated structural dynamics. The successful quantitative modeling of the low-temperature decelerated melting of zeolite crystals, reconciling homogeneous with heterogeneous processes, should serve as a platform for understanding the inherent instability of other zeolitic structures, as well as the prolific and more complex nanoporous metal-organic frameworks.

A metal-organic framework with ultrahigh glass-forming ability

Glass-forming ability (GFA) is the ability of a liquid to avoid crystallization during cooling. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are a new class of glass formers (1-3), with hitherto unknown dynamic and thermodynamic properties. We report the discovery of a new series of tetrahedral glass systems, zeolitic imidazolate framework-62 (ZIF-62) [Zn(Im_2-x bIm _x )], which have ultrahigh GFA, superior to any other known glass formers. This ultrahigh GFA is evidenced by a high viscosity η (10⁵ Pa·s) at the melting temperature T_m, a large crystal-glass network density deficit (Δρ/ρ_g)_network, no crystallization in supercooled region on laboratory time scales, a low fragility (m = 23), an extremely high Poisson's ratio (ν = 0.45), and the highest T_g/T_m ratio (0.84) ever reported. T_m and T_g both increase with benzimidazolate (bIm) content but retain the same ultrahigh T_g/T_m ratio, owing to high steric hindrance and frustrated network dynamics and also to the unusually low enthalpy and entropy typical of the soft and flexible nature of MOFs. On the basis of these versatile properties, we explain the exceptional GFA of the ZIF-62 system.

Pt nanoparticles decorated rose-like Bi2O2CO3 configurations for efficient photocatalytic removal of water organic pollutants

Pt nanoparticles decorated with rose-like Bi₂O₂CO₃ configurations were synthesized via a simple photoreduction method at room temperature.

Atomic and vibrational origins of mechanical toughness in bioactive cement during setting

Bioactive glass ionomer cements (GICs) have been in widespread use for ∼40 years in dentistry and medicine. However, these composites fall short of the toughness needed for permanent implants. Significant impediment to improvement has been the requisite use of conventional destructive mechanical testing, which is necessarily retrospective. Here we show quantitatively, through the novel use of calorimetry, terahertz (THz) spectroscopy and neutron scattering, how GIC's developing fracture toughness during setting is related to interfacial THz dynamics, changing atomic cohesion and fluctuating interfacial configurations. Contrary to convention, we find setting is non-monotonic, characterized by abrupt features not previously detected, including a glass-polymer coupling point, an early setting point, where decreasing toughness unexpectedly recovers, followed by stress-induced weakening of interfaces. Subsequently, toughness declines asymptotically to long-term fracture test values. We expect the insight afforded by these in situ non-destructive techniques will assist in raising understanding of the setting mechanisms and associated dynamics of cementitious materials.

Thermal collapse and hierarchy of polymorphs in a faujasite-type zeolite and its analogous melt-quenched glass

We examine the route of structural collapse and re-crystallization of faujasite-type (Na,K)-LSX zeolite. As the first step, a rather stable amorphous high density phase HDAcollapse is generated through an order-disorder transition from the original zeolite via a low density phase LDAcollapse, at around 790 °C. We find that the overall amorphization is driven by an increase in the bond angle distribution within T-O-T and a change in ring statistics to 6-membered TO4 (T = Si(4+), Al(3+)) rings at the expense of 4-membered rings. The HDAamorph transforms into crystalline nepheline, though, through an intermediate metastable carnegieite phase. In comparison, the melt-derived glass of similar composition, HDAMQ, crystallizes directly into the nepheline phase without the occurrence of intermediate carnegieite. This is attributed to the higher structural order of the faujasite-derived HDAcollapse which prefers the re-crystallization into the highly symmetric carnegieite phase before transformation into nepheline with lower symmetry.

Full solar spectrum light driven thermocatalysis with extremely high efficiency on nanostructured Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst for VOCs purification

The nanostructured Ce ion substituted cryptomelane-type octahedral molecular sieve (OMS-2) catalyst exhibits strong absorption in the entire solar spectrum region. The Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst can efficiently transform the absorbed solar energy to thermal energy, resulting in a considerable increase of temperature. By combining the efficient photothermal conversion and thermocatalytic activity of the Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst, we carried out full solar spectrum, visible-infrared, and infrared light driven catalysis with extremely high efficiency. Under the irradiation of full solar spectrum, visible-infrared, and infrared light, the Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst exhibits extremely high catalytic activity and excellent durability for the oxidation of volatile organic pollutants such as benzene, toluene, and acetone. Based on the experimental evidence, we propose a novel mechanism of solar light driven thermocatalysis for the Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst. The reason why the Ce ion substituted OMS-2 catalyst exhibits much higher catalytic activity than pure OMS-2 and CeO2/OMS-2 nano composite under the full solar spectrum irradiation is discussed.

Aerodynamic levitator furnace for measuring thermophysical properties of refractory liquids

The development of novel contactless aerodynamic laser heated levitation techniques is reported that enable thermophysical properties of refractory liquids to be measured in situ in the solid, liquid, and supercooled liquid state and demonstrated here for alumina. Starting with polished crystalline ruby spheres, we show how, by accurately measuring the changing radius, the known density in the solid state can be reproduced from room temperature to the melting point at 2323 K. Once molten, by coupling the floating liquid drop to acoustic oscillations via the levitating gas, the mechanical resonance and damping of the liquid can be measured precisely with high-speed high-resolution shadow cast imaging. The resonance frequency relates to the surface tension, the decay constant to the viscosity, and the ellipsoidal size and shape of the levitating drop to the density. This unique instrumentation enables these related thermophysical properties to be recorded in situ over the entire liquid and supercooled range of alumina, from the boiling point at 3240 K, until spontaneous crystallization occurs around 1860 K, almost 500 below the melting point. We believe that the utility that this unique instrumentation provides will be applicable to studying these important properties in many other high temperature liquids.

Poisson's ratio over two centuries: challenging hypotheses

This article explores Poisson's ratio, starting with the controversy concerning its magnitude and uniqueness in the context of the molecular and continuum hypotheses competing in the development of elasticity theory in the nineteenth century, moving on to its place in the development of materials science and engineering in the twentieth century, and concluding with its recent re-emergence as a universal metric for the mechanical performance of materials on any length scale. During these episodes France lost its scientific pre-eminence as paradigms switched from mathematical to observational, and accurate experiments became the prerequisite for scientific advance. The emergence of the engineering of metals followed, and subsequently the invention of composites-both somewhat separated from the discovery of quantum mechanics and crystallography, and illustrating the bifurcation of technology and science. Nowadays disciplines are reconnecting in the face of new scientific demands. During the past two centuries, though, the shape versus volume concept embedded in Poisson's ratio has remained invariant, but its application has exploded from its origins in describing the elastic response of solids and liquids, into areas such as materials with negative Poisson's ratio, brittleness, glass formation, and a re-evaluation of traditional materials. Moreover, the two contentious hypotheses have been reconciled in their complementarity within the hierarchical structure of materials and through computational modelling.

Poisson's ratio and modern materials

In comparing a material's resistance to distort under mechanical load rather than to alter in volume, Poisson's ratio offers the fundamental metric by which to compare the performance of any material when strained elastically. The numerical limits are set by ½ and -1, between which all stable isotropic materials are found. With new experiments, computational methods and routes to materials synthesis, we assess what Poisson's ratio means in the contemporary understanding of the mechanical characteristics of modern materials. Central to these recent advances, we emphasize the significance of relationships outside the elastic limit between Poisson's ratio and densification, connectivity, ductility and the toughness of solids; and their association with the dynamic properties of the liquids from which they were condensed and into which they melt.

Two million hours of science

After over a quarter of a century, the doors of the world's first synchrotron radiation source have closed. Its contribution to materials science in the past and the future should not be underestimated.

Zeolite collapse and polyamorphism

The phenomenology of zeolite collapse is outlined, drawing on recent synchrotron x-ray diffraction experiments and computer simulations of low density cage structures like zeolite A and zeolite Y. Attention is drawn to the importance of polyamorphism in destabilizing this type of microporous crystal and its role in order-disorder as well as amorphous-amorphous transitions, together with associated differences in entropy and density between polyamorphic phases and the precursor zeolite. Magic angle spinning NMR and inelastic x-ray scattering are used to highlight changes in structural order and mechanical rigidity between the starting zeolite and the final high density polyamorph. In conclusion, two-level systems detected with inelastic neutron scattering are described and their involvement in dictating the dynamics of the collapse of zeolitic cage structures.

Polyamorphism and liquid-liquid phase transitions: challenges for experiment and theory

Phase transitions in the liquid state can be related to pressure-driven fluctuations developed in the density (i.e., the inverse of the molar volume; ρ = 1/V) or the entropy (S(T)) rather than by gradients in the chemical potential (μ(X), where X is the chemical composition). Experiments and liquid simulation studies now show that such transitions are likely to exist within systems with a wide range of chemical bonding types. The observations permit us to complete the trilogy of expected liquid state responses to changes in P and T as well as μ(X), as is the case among crystalline solids. Large structure-property changes occurring within non-ergodic amorphous solids as a function of P and T are also observed, that are generally termed 'polyamorphism'. The polyamorphic changes can map on to underlying density- or entropy-driven L-L transitions. Studying these phenomena poses challenges to experimental studies and liquid simulations. Experiments must be carried out over a wide P-T range for in situ structure-property determinations, often in a highly metastable regime. It is expected that L-L transitions often occur below the melting line, so that studies encounter competing crystallization phenomena. Simulation studies of liquid state polyamorphism must involve large system sizes, and examine system behaviour at low T into the deeply supercooled regime, with distance and timescales long enough to sample characteristic density/entropy fluctuations. These conditions must be achieved for systems with different bonding environments, that can change abruptly across the polyamorphic transitions. Here we discuss opportunities for future work using simulations combined with neutron and x-ray amorphous scattering techniques, with special reference to the behaviour of two polyamorphic systems: amorphous Si and supercooled Y₂O₃-Al₂O₃ liquids.

Structure of molten yttrium aluminates: a neutron diffraction study

We used the aerodynamic levitation technique combined with CO₂ laser heating to study the structure of liquid yttrium aluminates above their melting point with neutron diffraction. For various yttria contents, we determined the structure factors and corresponding pair correlation functions describing the short-range order in the liquids. In particular, we derived Al-O and Y-O bond distances and coordination numbers. Experimental data are compared with ab initio molecular dynamics, carried out using the VASP code where the interatomic forces are obtained from density functional theory. In particular, partial pair correlation functions have been calculated and are in relatively good agreement with the experimental observations.

Development of structural order during supercooling of a fragile oxide melt

The authors have studied the structural evolution of the fragile glass-forming liquid CaAl2O4 during supercooling from the stable liquid phase to the cold glass below Tg. The evolution is characterized by a sharpening of the first diffraction peak and a shortening of the average nearest-neighbor bond length around 1.25Tg, indicating an increase in the degree of both intermediate-range and short-range orders occurring close to the dynamical crossover temperature. The cooling curve developed a kink at this temperature, indicating a simultaneous change in thermodynamic properties.

23Na, 29Si, and 13C MAS NMR Investigation of Glass-Forming Reactions between Na2CO3 and SiO2

The glass-forming reactions between sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) and silica (SiO2) have been investigated by 23Na, 29Si, and 13C magic-angle spinning (MAS) NMR spectroscopy. The multinuclear MAS NMR approach identifies and quantifies reaction products and intermediates, both glassy and crystalline. A series of powdered batches of initial composition Na2CO3.xSiO2 (x = 1, 2) corresponding to a sodium metasilicate (Na2SiO3) and sodium disilicate (Na2Si2O5) stoichiometry were investigated after periods of isothermal and nonisothermal heat treatments at different temperatures. Analysis of the 23Na quadrupolar coupling parameters has identified the early reaction product in all cases as crystalline Na2SiO3. In the nonisothermal experiment, this reaction is preceded by an early silica-rich melt phase formed around 850 degrees C. The early reactions are controlled by solid-state Na+ diffusion across the reaction zone in the grain interface layer. Crystalline Na2SiO3 precipitates in the interface layer, increasing its thickness between the Na2CO3 and the SiO2 grains and slowing down the rate of Na+ migration. This creates a secondary phase, which is temperature dependent. At low temperatures, where Na+ migration is impaired, the production of Na2SiO3 ceases and silica-richer phases are precipitated. In the case of the sodium disilicate batch, where excess SiO2 is present, a secondary reaction of Na2SiO3 with SiO2 forming a glassy phase is observed. A transient carbon-bearing phase has been identified by 13C NMR as a NaCO3- complex loosely bound to bridging oxygens in the silicate network at the SiO2 grain surface.

Identifying Vibrations That Destabilize Crystals and Characterize the Glassy State

High-resolution inelastic neutron scattering was used to identify major sources of low-frequency vibrations in zeolite crystals. Dispersed and nondispersed modes were found, both of which are prominent in the early stages of compressive amorphization but decline dramatically in strength once a glass of conventional density is created. By identifying the dispersed modes with the characteristic vibrations of the various secondary building units of zeolitic structures, the Boson peak, a characteristic of the glassy state, can be attributed to vibrations within connected rings of many different sizes. The nondispersed phonon features in zeolites, retained in the amorphized glass, were also replicated in silica. These modes are librational in origin and are responsible for destabilizing the microporous crystalline structure, for converting the resulting glass from a low- to a high-density phase, and for the associated changes in network topology that affect the Boson peak.

The new materials processing beamline at the SRS Daresbury, MPW6.2

A new beamline (MPW6.2) has been designed and built for the study of materials during processing where three synchrotron techniques, SAXS, WAXS and XAS, are available simultaneously. It has been demonstrated that Rietveld refinable data can be collected from silicon SRM 640b over a 60 degrees range in a time scale of 1 s. The data have been refined to a chi(2) of 2.4, the peaks fitting best to a Pearson VII function or with fundamental parameters. The peak halfwidths have been found to be approximately constant at 0.06 degrees over a 120 degrees angular range indicating that the instrumental resolution function has matched its design specification. A quantitative comparison of data sets collected on the same isotactic polypropylene system on MPW6.2 and DUBBLE at the ESRF shows a 17% improvement in angular resolution and a 1.8 improvement in peak-to-background ratio with the RAPID2 system; the ESRF data vary more smoothly across detector channels. The time-dependent wide-angle XRD was tested by comparing a hydration reaction of gypsum-bassanite-anhydrite with energy-dispersive data collected on the same system on the same time scale. Three sample data sets from the reaction were selected for analysis and gave an average chi(2) of 3.8. The Rietveld-refined lattice parameters are a good match with published values and the corresponding errors show a mean value of 3.3 x 10(-4). The data have also been analysed by the Pawley decomposition phase-modelling technique demonstrating the ability of the station to quickly and accurately identify new phases. The combined SAXS/WAXS capability of the station was tested with the crystallization and spinodal decomposition of a very dilute polymer system. Our measurements show that the crystallization of a high-density co-polymer (E76B38) as low as 0.5% by weight can be observed in solution in hexane. The WAXS and SAXS data sets were collected on the same time scale. The SAXS detector was calibrated using a collagen sample that gave 30 orders of diffraction in 1 s of data collection. The combined XRD and XAS measurement capability of the station was tested by observing the collapse and re-crystallization of zinc-exchanged zeolite A (zeolite Zn/Na-A). Previous studies of this material on station 9.3 at the SRS were compared with those from the new station. A time improvement of 38 was observed with better quality counting statistics. The improved angular resolution from the WAXS detector enabled new peaks to be identified.

The rheology of collapsing zeolites amorphized by temperature and pressure

Low-density zeolites collapse to the rigid amorphous state at temperatures that are well below the melting points of crystals of the same composition but of conventional density. Here we show, by using a range of experimental techniques, how the phenomenon of amorphization is time dependent, and how the dynamics of order-disorder transitions in zeolites under temperature and pressure are equivalent. As a result, thermobaric regions of instability can be charted, which are indicative of polyamorphism. Moreover, the boundaries of these zones depend on the rate at which temperature or pressure is ramped. By directly comparing the rheology of collapse with structural relaxation in equivalent melts, we conclude that zeolites amorphize like very strong liquids and, if compression occurs slowly, this is likely to lead to the synthesis of perfect glasses.

Following the formation of nanometer-sized clusters by time-resolved SAXS and EXAFS techniques

Time-resolved in situ SAXS and XAS measurements were carried out to monitor the formation of nanoparticles of the sulfides of cadmium and zinc, from solutions containing he corresponding acetate, and thioacetamide under solvothermal conditions. Analysis of the SAXS data shows that particles of ca 5 nm in radius form within the first few minutes of the reaction and then grow uniformly to ca 20 nm over a period of two hours resulting in a highly mono-dispersed particle distribution. EXAFS data of the CdS particles also prepared by solvothermal methods and recorded at 20 K, support the formation of nano-meter sized particles.

A SAXS/WAXS XAFS study of crystallisation in cordierite glass

New Cr X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) data have been combined with the results of small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and wide angle X-ray scattering (WAXS) experiments to probe in detail the crystallisation mechanism in cordierite (Mg2Al4Si5O18) glass doped with 0.34 mol% Cr2O3. By direct comparison with chromo-aluminate spinels (MgCr2xAl2(1 - x)O4) Cr XAFS is used to determine the composition of the devitrified Cr species. This is identified as MgCr(0.18)Al(1.82)O4, which can be directly related to the Cr content in the starting glass and as a result the total crystalline volume in the fully developed ceramic is predicted to be 4%. In situ WAXS not only reveals the presence of the spinel phase but also a silica-rich stuffed quartz phase. This grows independently of the spinel and is probably nucleated from the glass surface. From our knowledge of the compositions of both crystalline phases we are able to deduce that the SAXS contrast between the surrounding glass and the spinel crystallites is 30 times greater than that between the quartz crystallites and the glass matrix, and therefore dominates the measured scattered intensity and the SAXS invariant that is derived from it. As a consequence we are able to show that the spinel crystalline volume fraction inherent in the SAXS is in close agreement with the 4% value obtained from the Cr XAFS. Furthermore in situ SAXS reveals the gradual development of the spinel particle size and shape during heat treatment. This is conducted in the super-cooled region just above the glass transition temperature, Tg. By employing a two-step annealing process nucleation can be separated from growth and from time-resolved SAXS measurements the alumino-chromate nanocrystals are found to be closely monodispersed. Over a total time course of 600 min they grow from rough crystallites to smooth spherical particles of radius 21 +/- 2 nm, with a final density of (1.2 +/- 0.4) x 10(21) m(-3). As the process of ceramic formation takes place in the viscous melt, growth is indeed found to be limited by diffusion and is complete when all the Cr is exhausted. We use this comprehensive in situ study of crystallisation in cordierite glass to demonstrate the advantages of combining SAXS, WAXS and XAFS for probing the time-resolved chemistry, the microstructure and its development from nucleation sites, that underpins the processing of nanoparticle ceramics.

Liquid alumina: detailed atomic coordination determined from neutron diffraction data using empirical potential structure refinement

The neutron scattering structure factor S(N)(Q) for a 40 mg drop of molten alumina (Al2O3) held at 2500 K, using a laser-heated aerodynamic levitation furnace, is measured for the first time. A 1700 atom model of liquid alumina is generated from these data using the technique of empirical potential structural refinement. About 62% of the aluminum sites are 4-fold coordinated, matching the mostly triply coordinated oxygen sites, but some 24% of the aluminum sites are 5-fold coordinated. The octahedral aluminum sites found in crystalline alpha-Al2O3 occur only at the 2% level in liquid alumina.

A New High-Flux Chemical and Materials Crystallography Station at the SRS Daresbury. 1. Design, Construction and Test Results

A new single-crystal diffraction facility has been constructed on beamline 9 of the SRS at Daresbury Laboratory for the study of structural problems in chemistry and materials science. The station utilizes up to 3.8 mrad horizontally from the 5 T wiggler magnet which can be focused horizontally and vertically. The horizontal focusing is provided by a choice of gallium-cooled triangular bent Si (111) or Si (220) monochromators, giving a wavelength range from 0.3 to 1.5 A. Focusing in the vertical plane is achieved by a cylindrically bent zerodur mirror with a 300 mum-thick palladium coating. The station is equipped with a modified Enraf-Nonius CAD-4 four-circle diffractometer and a Siemens SMART CCD area-detector system. High- and low-temperature facilities are available to cover the temperature range from about 80 to 1000 K. Early results on test compounds without optimization of the beam optics demonstrate that excellent refined structures can be obtained from samples giving diffraction patterns too weak to be measured with conventional laboratory X-ray sources, fulfilling a major objective of the project.

A New High-Flux Chemical and Materials Crystallography Station at the SRS Daresbury. 1. Design, Construction and Test Results

A new single-crystal diffraction facility has been constructed on beamline 9 of the SRS at Daresbury Laboratory for the study of structural problems in chemistry and materials science. The station utilizes up to 3.8 mrad horizontally from the 5 T wiggler magnet which can be focused horizontally and vertically. The horizontal focusing is provided by a choice of gallium-cooled triangular bent Si (111) or Si (220) monochromators, giving a wavelength range from 0.3 to 1.5 A. Focusing in the vertical plane is achieved by a cylindrically bent zerodur mirror with a 300 mum-thick palladium coating. The station is equipped with a modified Enraf-Nonius CAD-4 four-circle diffractometer and a Siemens SMART CCD area-detector system. High- and low-temperature facilities are available to cover the temperature range from about 80 to 1000 K. Early results on test compounds without optimization of the beam optics demonstrate that excellent refined structures can be obtained from samples giving diffraction patterns too weak to be measured with conventional laboratory X-ray sources, fulfilling a major objective of the project.

Examination of the mixed-alkali effect in (Li,Na) disilicate glasses by nuclear magnetic resonance and conductivity measurements

Results from 29Si, 23Na and 7Li magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, 7Li NMR relaxation and electrical conductivity in a series of [Li(1-x).Nax]2O.2SiO2 (disilicate) glasses are used to investigate the mixed-alkali effect. From the 29Si NMR spectra there is relatively little change of the network with alkali composition. 23Na and 7Li NMR linewidths and shifts change continuously as a function of composition, indicating that the alkali ions are intimately and uniformly mixed rather than separated into lithium and sodium-rich domains. The activation energy from electrical conductivity shows a distinct maximum at the central composition (x = 0.5), whereas the local activation energy for lithium motion determined from NMR shows only a smaller but monotonic increase as the lithium-content decreases.