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Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites

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A special issue of Nanomaterials (ISSN 2079-4991). This special issue belongs to the section "Inorganic Materials and Metal-Organic Frameworks".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2021) | Viewed by 20496

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Jerzy Garbarczyk

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Guest Editor

Faculty of Physics, Warsaw University of Technology, Warsaw, Poland
Interests: solid state ionics; ionic and mixed electronic–ionic conductors used in energy conversion and storage systems; nanomaterials; thermal nanocrystallization of glasses; glass–ceramics

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We invite you to contribute to the Special Issue of Nanomaterials, which is devoted to various preparation and characterization methods of different kinds of nanocomposites and nanostructured glass–ceramic systems, including: materials with special electrical and magnetic properties, systems of minimal thermal expansion, with special optical properties, machinable glass–ceramics, high-strength and high-toughness systems, bioactive glass–ceramics, and others (not mentioned above).

In the Special Issue, we hope to present a big variety of experimental methods used to study physical properties of nanostructured glass–ceramics and nanocomposites, including their microstructure, morphology, chemical and phase composition, and also mechanical, thermal, electric, magnetic, and optical properties. The issue is open for contributions related to various aspects of transport phenomena in glass–ceramics and nanocomposites, such as thermal, electronic, ionic, and mixed conductivity. The studies of other physical phenomena, connected with structural, mechanical, optical, dielectric, and magnetic properties of nanocomposites and glass–ceramics are also expected.

The Special Issue is mainly devoted to the processing, characterization, and application of nanostructured glass–ceramics (e.g., in all-solid-state batteries and many other devices), but contributions focused on basic research and computer simulations are also very welcome.

Prof. Jerzy Garbarczyk
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Nanomaterials is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

glass–ceramics
nanocomposites
nanomaterials
nanocrystallization
nanoparticles
heterogeneous materials
microstructure

Published Papers (7 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 2856 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Sintering-Based In-Situ Synthesis and Characterization by TEM of Noble Metal Nanoparticles for Ceramic Glaze Color Control

by Karthik Lalwani, Nathan Dinh, Michael C. Leopold and Ryan H. Coppage

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(8), 2103; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11082103 - 19 Aug 2021

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 2372

Abstract

Gold and silver salt mixtures are incorporated in ceramic glazes for in situ development of mixtures of gold and silver nanoparticles (NPs) that subsequently allow for a wide spectrum of low metal loading color control within ceramic materials. Prior work has shown that gold NPs can be used to create vibrant, color-rich red pigments in high-temperature ceramic and glass applications, though the achievable diameter of the gold NP ultimately limits the available range of color. The current study significantly expands color control from traditional gold nanoparticle red through silver nanoparticle green via the alteration of gold-to-silver salt ratios incorporated in the glaze formulations prior to sintering. Nanoparticle-based coloring systems are tested in both oxidative and reductive firing atmospheres. While the oxidation environment is found to be prohibitive for silver NP stability, the reductive atmosphere is able to form and sustain mixtures of gold and silver NPs across a wide color spectrum. All glazes are analyzed via reflectance spectrometry for color performance and samples are characterized via TEM and EDS for composition and sizing trends. This study creates new groundwork for a color-controlled NP system based on noble metal ratio blends that are both nontoxic and achieved with radically lower metal pigment loading than traditional glazes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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19 pages, 11511 KiB

Open AccessArticle

B₂O₃-Doped LATP Glass-Ceramics Studied by X-ray Diffractometry and MAS NMR Spectroscopy Methods

by Wioleta Ślubowska, Lionel Montagne, Olivier Lafon, François Méar and Konrad Kwatek

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(2), 390; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11020390 - 03 Feb 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3130

Abstract

Two families of glasses in the Li₂O-Al₂O₃-B₂O₃-TiO₂-P₂O₅ system were prepared via two different synthesis routes: melt-quenching and ball-milling. Subsequently, they were submitted to crystallization and yielded the Li_1.3A_l0.₃Ti_1.7(PO₄)₃ (LATP)-based glass-ceramics. Glasses and corresponding glass-ceramics were studied by complementary X-ray diffraction (XRD) and ²⁷Al, ³¹P, ⁷Li, ¹¹B magic-angle spinning nuclear magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) methods in order to compare their structure and phase composition and elucidate the impact of boron additive on their glass-forming properties and crystallization process. XRD studies show that the addition of B₂O₃ improves the glass-forming properties of glasses prepared by either method and inhibits the precipitation of unwanted phases during heat treatment. MAS NMR studies allowed us to distinguish two LATP phases of slightly different chemical composition suggesting that LATP grains might not be homogeneous. In conclusion, the crystallization of boron-incorporated LATP glasses can is an effective way of obtaining LATP-based solid state electrolytes for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries provided the proper heat-treatment conditions are chosen. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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13 pages, 2436 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Electronically Conductive Tungsten Phosphate Glass-Ceramics

by Sanja Renka, Teodoro Klaser, Sanja Burazer, Petr Mošner, Petr Kalenda, Ana Šantić and Andrea Moguš-Milanković

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2515; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10122515 - 15 Dec 2020

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2408

Abstract

High electronically conductive tungsten phosphate glass-ceramics have been prepared by the controlled crystallization of binary 60WO₃–40P₂O₅ glass in the temperature range from 700 to 935 °C and for 1 to 24 h. The substantial increase in the conductivity for four orders of magnitude is a result of the formation of electronically conductive W₂O₃(PO₄)₂ and WO₃ phases. At low crystallization temperature the dominant W₂O₃(PO₄)₂ phase is created, whereas at 935 °C for 24 h the formation of semiconducting WO₃ crystallites of an average size of 80 nm enhances the conductivity to the highest value of 1.64 × 10⁻⁴ (Ω cm)^–1 at 30 °C. The course of the crystallization and its impact on this exceptionally high electronic transport of binary tungsten phosphate glass-ceramics has been discussed in detail. Since such highly electronically conductive WO₃-based glass-ceramics have a great potential as cathode/anode materials in solid state batteries and as electrocatalysts in fuel cells, it is of interest to provide a novel insight into the improvement of their electrical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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16 pages, 1932 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamics and Pretransitional Effects in C₆₀ Fullerene Nanoparticles and Liquid Crystalline Dodecylcyanobiphenyl (12CB) Hybrid System

by Sylwester J. Rzoska, Szymon Starzonek, Joanna Łoś, Aleksandra Drozd-Rzoska and Samo Kralj

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2343; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10122343 - 26 Nov 2020

Cited by 13 | Viewed by 1682

Abstract

The report shows the strong impact of fullerene C₆₀ nanoparticles on phase transitions and complex dynamics of rod-like liquid crystal dodecylcyanobiphenyl (12CB), within the limit of small concentrations. Studies were carried out using broadband dielectric spectroscopy (BDS) via the analysis of temperature dependences of the dielectric constant, the maximum of the primary loss curve, and relaxation times. They revealed a strong impact of nanoparticles, leading to a ~20% change of dielectric constant even at x = 0.05% of C₆₀ fullerene. The application of the derivative-based and distortion-sensitive analysis showed that pretransitional effects dominate in the isotropic liquid phase up to 65 K above the clearing temperature and in the whole Smectic A mesophase. The impact of nanoparticles on the pretransitional anomaly appearance is notable for the smectic–solid phase transition. The fragility-based analysis of relaxation times revealed the universal pattern of its temperature changes, associated with scaling via the “mixed” (“activated” and “critical”) relation. Phase behavior and dynamics of tested systems are discussed within the extended Landau–de Gennes–Ginzburg mesoscopic approach. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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13 pages, 4667 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Non-Linear Optical Properties of Er³⁺–Yb³⁺-Doped NaGdF₄ Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics

by José J. Velázquez, Giulio Gorni, Rolindes Balda, Joaquin Fernández, Laura Pascual, Alicia Durán and Maria J. Pascual

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(7), 1425; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10071425 - 21 Jul 2020

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2776

Abstract

Transparent oxyfluoride glass–ceramics containing NaGdF₄ nanocrystals were prepared by melt-quenching and doped with Er³⁺ (0.5 mol%) and different amounts of Yb³⁺ (0–2 mol%). The selected dopant concentration the crystallization thermal treatments were chosen to obtain the most efficient visible up-conversion emissions, together with near infrared emissions. The crystal size increased with dopant content and treatment time. NaGdF₄ NCs with a size ranging 9–30 nm were obtained after heat treatments at T_g + 20–80 °C as confirmed by X-ray diffraction and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Energy dispersive X-ray analysis shows the incorporation of rare earth ions into the NaGdF₄ nanocrystals. Near-infrared emission spectra, together with the up-conversion emissions were measured. The optical characterization of the glass–ceramics clearly shows that Er³⁺ and Yb³⁺ ions are incorporated in the crystalline phase. Moreover, visible up-conversion emissions could be tuned by controlling the nanocrystals size through appropriated heat treatment, making possible a correlation between structural and optical properties. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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Review

Jump to: Research

24 pages, 23758 KiB

Open AccessReview

Towards Higher Electric Conductivity and Wider Phase Stability Range via Nanostructured Glass-Ceramics Processing

by Tomasz K. Pietrzak, Marek Wasiucionek and Jerzy E. Garbarczyk

Nanomaterials 2021, 11(5), 1321; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano11051321 - 17 May 2021

Cited by 26 | Viewed by 3220

Abstract

This review article presents recent studies on nanostructured glass-ceramic materials with substantially improved electrical (ionic or electronic) conductivity or with an extended temperature stability range of highly conducting high-temperature crystalline phases. Such materials were synthesized by the thermal nanocrystallization of selected electrically conducting oxide glasses. Various nanostructured systems have been described, including glass-ceramics based on ion conductive glasses (silver iodate and bismuth oxide ones) and electronic conductive glasses (vanadate-phosphate and olivine-like ones). Most systems under consideration have been studied with the practical aim of using them as electrode or solid electrolyte materials for rechargeable Li-ion, Na-ion, all-solid batteries, or solid oxide fuel cells. It has been shown that the conductivity enhancement of glass-ceramics is closely correlated with their dual microstructure, consisting of nanocrystallites (5–100 nm) confined in the glassy matrix. The disordered interfacial regions in those materials form “easy conduction” paths. It has also been shown that the glassy matrices may be a suitable environment for phases, which in bulk form are stable at high temperatures, and may exist when confined in nanograins embedded in the glassy matrix even at room temperature. Many complementary experimental techniques probing the electrical conductivity, long- and short-range structure, microstructure at the nanometer scale, or thermal transitions have been used to characterize the glass-ceramic systems under consideration. Their results have helped to explain the correlations between the microstructure and the properties of these systems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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26 pages, 4899 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Guided Walk through the World of Mesoporous Bioactive Glasses (MBGs): Fundamentals, Processing, and Applications

by Carla Migneco, Elisa Fiume, Enrica Verné and Francesco Baino

Nanomaterials 2020, 10(12), 2571; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/nano10122571 - 21 Dec 2020

Cited by 41 | Viewed by 4069

Abstract

Bioactive glasses (BGs) are traditionally known to be able to bond to living bone and stimulate bone regeneration. The production of such materials in a mesoporous form allowed scientists to dramatically expand the versatility of oxide-based glass systems as well as their applications in biomedicine. These nanostructured materials, called mesoporous bioactive glasses (MBGs), not only exhibit an ultrafast mineralization rate but can be used as vehicles for the sustained delivery of drugs, which are hosted inside the mesopores, and therapeutic ions, which are released during material dissolution in contact with biological fluids. This review paper summarizes the main strategies for the preparation of MBGs, as well as their properties and applications in the biomedical field, with an emphasis on the methodological aspects and the promise of hierarchical systems with multiscale porosity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Application of Nanostructured Glass–Ceramics and Nanocomposites)

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