The structure of phosphate glasses of the nominal composition x·LiF + (1 - x)·LiPO3 has been studied for 0 < x < 0.35, using 1H, 7Li, 19F, 31P NMR. By combining data from different nuclei and various solid state NMR techniques structural information on the molecular scale is obtained. The measurements confirm that the structural units of the glass are polyphosphate chains, and allow determination of their average length. The increase of LiF concentration, x, from 0 to 0.35 leads to a shortening of the chains from 29 to 4 phosphate units by use of Li and F to form terminal groups. Fluorine is partitioned between two structural units: fluorophosphate terminal groups and Li+F- fragments, in a ratio of about 1:1 at low x and decreasing to 1:4 at high x. Substantial loss of fluorine during glass preparation is observed and measured.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)79-90
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Non-Crystalline Solids
Volume240
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 2 Oct 1998

    Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Ceramics and Composites
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Materials Chemistry

ID: 88059992