Changes in macroscopic and microscopic properties of borosilicate glass irradiated with ions

Abstract

Borosilicate glass has potential application in the vitrification of high-level waste; therefore, its radiation durability attracts extensive attention. Borosilicate glass samples were irradiated with Xe and Au ions. The samples after irradiation were analyzed by nanoindenter, the Raman, photoluminescence (PL) and infrared spectroscopy. With increase of irradiation dose, the hardness of NBS2 glass samples dropped and then saturated. The changes in PL and infrared spectra of NBS2 glasses samples were deduced. The relation between changes in Raman spectra and those in PL spectra was discussed. The results from PL and infrared spectra revealed the formation of a non-bridging oxygen hole center and transformation of BO4 to BO3 in the NBS2 glass after the irradiation of ions. Relations between the changes in hardness and microstructures of borosilicate glass were discussed.