Evidence of Ni-containing ordered domains in low-alkali borate glasses

Laboratoire Minéralogie-Cristallographie, Université Paris 6 et 7 and IPGP, UMR 7590 4 place Jussieu 75252 Paris Cedex 05, France

Received: 20 July 1998
Accepted: 23 December 1998

Abstract

A noteworthy inhomogeneous distribution of Ni in low-alkali borate glasses has been shown by Ni K-edge EXAFS (Extended X-ray Absorption Fine Structure). The first evidence of a multiple scattering feature in a glassy matrix indicates an extended intermediate range order extending up to 6 Å. The Ni-enriched domains consist of corner- and edge-sharing octahedra, with three-dimensional connections. The presence of this unusual order in glasses is likely associated with the rigid borate groups present in low-alkali borate glasses.