Synthesis and characterization of samarium doped calcium soda–lime–silicate glass derived wollastonite glass–ceramics

Abstract

Samarium doped wollastonite based glass–ceramics, Sm3+:CaSiO3 were prepared from conventional melt-quench in water technique, derived CaO–SLS precursor glass system with empirical formula [Sm2O3]y[21CaO–79SLS]100-y where y = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 wt.% by a control solid-state sintering process. The effect of Sm2O3 concentration and sintering temperature on the density, crystal growth, and morphology of Sm3+:CaSiO3 was examined by bulk density measurement, XRD, FESEM micrograph, and FTIR spectroscopy. The density of glass and glass–ceramic samples show an increasing trend with the increase of samarium concentration and sintering temperature. The amorphous nature of precursor glasses has been proven by the XRD pattern. FTIR spectra suggest that samarium reacts as a modifier in the glass matrix. Also, with the increase in samarium concentration, the structural units in the glass matrix might be changed. The XRD, FESEM, and FTIR results display the generation of the wollastonite phase in the CaO–SLS glass matrix. Besides, the optical band gap energy (Eg) of the glass and glass–ceramics were decreased with the increase of Sm2O3 concentration. This decreasing trend occurs due to the scattering of light by the Sm3+:CaSiO3 crystals. The overall result promoted the Sm3+:CaSiO3 has high potential to use as concrete materials in the construction industry.