Effect of Fe2O3 Contents on the Ions Release from Phosphate-Based Glass
Currently, phosphate-based glasses have been extensively studied for their special characteristic of being soluble in aqueous medium and capable of releasing ions. This paper presents the relationship between the solubility properties and ion released of phosphate glasses having a composition of 6Al2O3-15K2O-14Na2O-(20-x)CaO-xFe2O3-45P2O5, where x = 2, 4, 6 and 8 wt.%. Clear and free bubbles of dark green glasses were obtained from the used of conventional melting technique at 1300 oC. The ion released and weight loss studies were determined from the immersion of the glass samples in deionised water for about 16 weeks under static condition. IR spectra revealed the formation of phosphate units such as metaphosphate and orthophosphate unit around 1097 cm-1 and 1107 cm-1 with the presence of Fe2O3 in the glass system. SEM image of the phosphate glass structure before and after immersion seems to be associated with the solubility of these glasses. From the study, the concentration of Na+ and K+ release decreased when more Fe2O3 contents were added to the system. Fe2O3 stabilize the network structure via the formation of P-O-Fe bond which more hydration resistant towards water penetrating molecules.