Journal of Physical Chemistry B, Vol.111, No.33, 9747-9757, 2007
Al-27 NMR study of the structure of lanthanum- and yttrium-based aluminosilicate glasses and melts
We have investigated by Al-27 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy some compositions in the Ln(2)O(3)-Al2O3-SiO2 (Ln = Y or La) ternary phase diagram containing more than 60 mol % of SiO2. One- and two-dimensional high-field (17.6 T) high-speed (30 kHz) magic angle spinning experiments have been performed along with simulations of the spectra to quantify the amount of penta-coordinated aluminum present in those glasses as a function of composition. Very high-temperature experiments have allowed to follow selected samples from 2200 degrees C down to 1700 degrees C and hence to characterize the aluminum coordination state and dynamics in those liquids. The present study re-enforces the current view that "minor" species such as penta-coordinated aluminum are actually present in a considerable amount in aluminosilicate glasses, and high-temperature liquids at and above the charge compensation join. The high-field strength of Y3+ and La3+ reveal, for the first time in glasses, a different mean electric field gradient perceived by the tetra- and penta-coordinated aluminum environments. The movements responsible for the NMR relaxation of aluminum in the high-temperature liquid are shown to be uncorrelated with the movements responsible for the macroscopic shear viscosity. Results obtained both on glasses and in situ at high-temperature suggest a preferential localization of Ln(3+) nearby tetra-coordinated aluminum species, with possible formation of tricluster and/or Ln(3+) coordination changes.