Thermodynamic activity of cuprous-cupric redox oxides in alkali copper silicate glasses

Abstract

The thermodynamic activity of cuprous-cupric redox oxides was studied systematically by equilibrating Cu+-Cu2+ redox in alkali copper silicate glasses with varying CuO concentration from 1.0-3.0 mol% at 1200°C, 1300°C and 1400°C in air as furnace atmosphere. The relation between log[γCuO]2/[γCu2O] and mol% CuO concentrations, log[γCuO]2/[γCu2O] versus temperature as well as log [γCuO]2/[γCu2O] versus glass composition were established. The results obtained were explained thermodynamically.