Effect of ZrSnO₄ solid solution on the crystallization behavior of Li₂O-Al₂O₃-SiO₂ glasses

Herein, the crystallization behavior of a Li2O-Al2O3-SiO2 (LAS) glass system with the addition of ZrO2 and SnO2 as nucleating agents was investigated using X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, four-dimensional scanning transmission electron microscopy, and X-ray absorption fine-structure measurements. At lower heat-treatment temperatures, the addition of ZrO2 and SnO2 afforded a ZrSnO4 solid solution (SS), whereas at higher heat-treatment temperatures, the ZrSnO4 SS decomposed, affording tetragonal ZrO2 and tetragonal SnO2. LAS-based crystalline phases, such as beta-quartz and beta-spodumene phases SS, were formed after the formation of the ZrSnO4 SS. ZrSnO4 SS particles a few nanometers in size were present in contact with the beta-quartz SS particles a few dozen nanometers in size. This suggests that the ZrSnO4 SS served as a crystal nucleus for the beta-quartz SS, promoting its growth.