Enhancement of high-alumina glass and glass-ceramics through dual modification of Zn2+ and its mechanism

Abstract

In this work, high-alumina glass and glass-ceramics were enhanced through dual modification with Zn²⁺ and the effects of Zn²⁺ on the crystallization behavior, structural evolution and properties of high-alumina glass were investigated by a combination of experiments and MD simulation. Firstly, the effect of Zn²⁺ on the glass network of high-alumina glass was explored using XRD, TEM, SAXS, IR and MD simulation. The results indicate that Zn²⁺ possesses a dual role of depolymerization and stabilization during the continuous introduction of Zn²⁺. Secondly, the effects of Zn²⁺ on the crystallization behavior and structural evolution of high-alumina glass-ceramics were explored using XRD, TEM, SEM, Raman and XPS. It was found that a small amount of Zn²⁺ would promote the precipitation of nanocrystalline ZnAl₂O₄ and further enhance the mechanical properties of glass-ceramics. However, a large amount of Zn²⁺ would lead to the precipitation of the impurity phase SiO₂, which could adversely affect the mechanical properties. Finally, the effects of Zn²⁺ on the properties of high-alumina glass and glass-ceramics were analyzed. The results demonstrated that the mechanical properties and transmittance of high-alumina glass and glass-ceramics can be significantly improved by adding an appropriate amount of Zn²⁺. Therefore, an effective method based on Zn²⁺ to modulate the properties of high-alumina glass and glass-ceramics has been successfully developed.