Ceramics-Silikáty 54 (4) 357-361 (2010)

PRECIPITATION OF AGCL CRYSTALS ON THE SURFACE OF ALUMINO-BOROSILICATE GLASS BY ION-EXCHANGE

S. Mashayekh , B. Eftekhari Yekta , V. K. Marghussian

An alumino-borosilicate glass containing nano size AgCl particles was prepared by ion exchange process. The original melt-cast glass only contained Cl ions and silver ions were introduced to it through a post-ion exchange process. The line scanning analysis of cross sectioned areas, showed entering of Ag⁺ and K⁺ ions into the glass structure, and probably depletion of it from Li⁺ Ions. Based on the Scanning Electron Microscopy results of the heat-treated glasses, it was deduced that this compositional modification encouraged liquid-liquid phase separation in ion-exchanged glasses and caused their opalescence occurring at a lower temperature as compared to the traditional method. Precipitation of nano-size AgCl crystalline particles during post-heat treatment of ion-exchanged glasses induced photochromism effect in them.

Keywords: Ion-exchange, Photochromism, Alumonoborosilicate glasses