CHEMICAL RELAXATIONS AT THE GLASS-TRANSITION OF A LITHIUM CONDUCTING GLASS

A systematic Raman and infrared study of the Li-metaborate glass devitrification has been undertaken in an attempt to reveal the chemical transformations of the borate network upon melt quenching. The spectra indicate that the glass bears marked structural similarities to the three distinct polymorphs resulting from its devitrification. These similarities are not restricted to the nature of the boron-oxygen polyhedra present, but appear to involve longer-range arrangements. The results account well for the unusual transport and density data, and seem to link glass-forming ability with a non-homogeneous structure of glass.