Topological constraint model of alkali tellurite glasses

Abstract

A topological constraint model is developed to elucidate the coordination environment of alkali tellurite glasses. The model is derived from temperature-dependent constraint theory and provides a quantitative connection between the connectivity of the glass network and the compositional dependence of the glass transition temperature (Tg). Our model gives support to the model proposed by Barney et al. [J. Phys. Chem. Lett.4, 2312–2316 (2013)], confirming their model of the coordination environment in alkali tellurites. The model simultaneously serves as a framework that can be used in binary alkali glass-formers to predict an expected coordination the network forming cation in an oxide glass.