Enhanced Surface Crystallization of Chromium(III)-Doped Lithium Lanthanum Borate Glasses due to Ultrasonic Treatment

Abstract

Precipitation of LaBO3 on the surface of a glass of composition 0.1Cr2O3·25Li2O·10La2O3·65B2O3 (in mol%) was enhanced due to ultrasonic surface treatment (UST) with aqueous and ethanol suspensions of LaBO3 particles. The aqueous suspension gave a higher efficiency than the ethanol suspension. The crystallites were almost uniform in size distribution, and grew irregularly: increase-decrease-increase in size when heated at 580°C. Preferred growth of (200) was detected. The mechanism of UST enhanced crystallization is proposed. © 1994, The Society of Materials Science, Japan. All rights reserved.