Synthesis of PbO·SiO2 glass by CO2 laser melting method

Abstract

Described herein is a new approach to produce glass materials using a CO2 laser as unique heating source. In this study, the well-known PbO·SiO2 (PS) system was chosen as a glass model because of its very good glass forming ability and stoichiometric crystallization. The laser-produced glasses presented the same temperature stability as the conventionally produced glass, as observed by DSC results, without the presence of crystalline phases according to XRD and Raman results. Additionally, no structural change was detected among the glasses, when probed by Raman and XANES. After thermal treatment at 730 °C for 1 h, the laser-produced glass crystalizes to the alamosite (PbSiO3) phase which confirms the nominal stoichiometry without Pb volatilization. In optimal conditions, the total PS laser-produced glass was synthesized within 3 min., which is remarkably fast in comparison to conventional processes using an electric furnace that can last several hours.