Influence of yttrium component on water corrosion resistance of sodium ion conducting silicate glass

The corrosion resistance to water of two types of sodium ion conducting glass based on the composition (Na2O)35.7(Y2O3)7.2(SiO2)57.1 with different Na2O contents and different Y2O3/SiO2 mole ratios were characterized. In addition, the density, glass transition temperature, ionic conductivity, and local structure around sodium ions were investigated. The glass samples were fabricated by quenching melts. Corrosion resistance was evaluated by a leaching test, which was conducted by measuring the amount of dissolved sodium ions in water from a powdered sample. The corrosion resistance of the glass sample without Y2O3 was so poor that the sample dissolved completely. However, the corrosion resistance improved on increasing the Y2O3 content to a Y2O3/SiO2 mole ratio of 0.12. This improvement is expected to arise from structural changes in the glass network, as suggested by the increase in the glass transition temperature.