Structural Analysis Methods for Characterizing Multicomponent Melts and Glasses Processed at High Temperatures

Recent structural-analysis research was reviewed for characterizing multicomponent melts and glasses processed at high temperatures. Multicomponent melts and glasses are often formed in slags during pyrometallurgical processing and the vitrification of highly radioactive wastes from nuclear power plants. Melt and glass physical properties were interpreted based on structural analyses using different methods. For example, the viscosities of different molten-silicate compositions were explained based on Raman and magic-angle-spinning magnetic resonance (MAS NMR) spectra. In addition, the thermal conductivities of multicomponent vitrified glasses were examined based on the structures elucidated using MAS NMR spectroscopy. X-ray absorption spectroscopy, which provides information about element chemical states, is used to analyze the local structure around specific elements in both melts and glasses. These studies show that structural analysis methods provide important information for designing and controlling melts and glasses processed at high temperatures. The structures characterized using different analysis methods were presented to elucidate the physical properties of multicomponent melts and glasses processed at high temperatures and propose prospects and directions for further research of process-oriented methods.