A perfect glass?

Zeolites are aluminosilicates with internal cages. When they are slowly heated, their microporous crystalline structure collapses and they become an unusual sort of glass, mechanically and chemically stronger than normal glass. X-ray diffraction has enabled this phenomenon to be observed and understood. A further goal of this study is to determine the conditions in which “perfect glass” forms.

Model of the structure of a zeolite: crystalline (left) and non-crystalline (right). (Image credit: F. Meneau, copyright 2003 F. Meneau).

Further information:

• ESRF news item: On the way to the perfect glass
• Ref.: G.N. Greaves et al., Science 308, 1299-1302 (2005).