Non-Isothermal Crystallisation of SiO2-MgO-K2O-3CaO·P2O5 Glass Studies by Impedance Spectroscopy

Impedance spectroscopy was used to monitor the non-isothermal crystallisation of a phosphate phase in bulk samples of a glass with the molar composition 0.45SiO2–0.36MgO– 0.09K2O–0.1(3CaO⋅P2O5), intended for biomedical applications. The K+ alkali ions are probably the main charge carriers in glass of this composition [1]. Impedance spectra were obtained as a function of temperature, following non-isothermal heat treatments at 2°Cmin-1. It is shown that suitable analysis of impedance spectra can be used to evaluate the crystallization peak of a orthophosphate phase, Ca9MgK(PO4)7. Results obtained by this method are comparable to those obtained by differential thermal analysis (DTA) of the corresponding glass frits. Impedance spectroscopy is thus suitable to study the crystallization of bulk samples, and can be used both with variable temperature and under isothermal conditions.