Thermal, chemical and structural characteristics of Sm2O3 doped non-alkaline aluminoborosilicate glasses

Glasses in SiO2-Al2O3-B2O3-RO system doped with Sm2O3 content (0-4.5 wt-%) were prepared by the conventional melt quenching technique. The relationship among composition, structure and thermal durability of the glasses was investigated using differential thermal analysis (DTA), high filed B-11 and Al-27 magic angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance. Chemical durability of Sm2O3 doped glasses was evaluated by weight losses of glass samples after immersion in HCl solution, scanning electron microscope (SEM) was used as an aid to examine the surface structure of corroded glass samples. The DTA showed that with the increase in Sm2O3 content, thermal durability of glasses was improved, and the tendency of crystallisation was inhibited. Nuclear magnetic resonance results showed that increasing Sm2O3 content dramatically increased the content of four-coordinated boron (BO4) and four-coordinated aluminium (AlO4). In addition, the results of acid resistance showed that the weight losses decreased with increasing Sm2O3 content, which was in accordance with SEM.