Topology and glass structure evolution in (BaO)x((B₂O₃)₃₂(SiO₂)₆₈)(100-x) ternary--evidence of rigid, intermediate, and flexible phases.

We examine variations in the glass transition temperature (T(g)(x)), molar volume (V(m)(x)), and Raman scattering of titled glasses as a function of modifier (BaO) content in the 25% < x < 48% range. Three distinct regimes of behavior are observed; at low x, 24% < x < 29% range, the modifier largely polymerizes the backbone, T(g)(x) increase, features that we identify with the stressed-rigid elastic phase. At high x, 32% < x < 48% range, the modifier depolymerizes the network by creating non-bridging oxygen (NBO) atoms; in this regime T(g)(x) decreases, and networks are viewed to be in the flexible elastic phase.

Topological origin of fragility, network adaptation, and rigidity and stress transitions in especially homogenized nonstoichiometric binary Ge(x)S(100-x) glasses.

Binary GexS100-x glasses reveal a richness of elastic and chemical phase transitions driven by network topology. With increasing Ge content (x), well-defined rigidity at xc(1) = 19.3(5)% and a stress transition at xc(2) = 24.

Designing heavy metal oxide glasses with threshold properties from network rigidity.

Here, we show that a new class of glasses composed of heavy metal oxides involving transition metals (V2O5-TeO2) can surprisingly be designed from very basic tools using topology and rigidity of their underlying molecular networks. When investigated as a function of composition, such glasses display abrupt changes in network packing and enthalpy of relaxation at Tg, underscoring presence of flexible to rigid elastic phase transitions. We find that these elastic phases are fully consistent with polaronic nature of electronic conductivity at high V2O5 content.