Synthesis and Properties of Simple and Complex Polymetaphosphate Glasses of Alkali Metals

Synthesis of a large number of simple and complex polymetaphosphate glasses of alkali metals with the general formulae (MXM1 -X)P03)fl and (MM_12PO3) has been described, where M and M' = Li,Na, K, Rb or Cs; M" = Be, Mg,Ca,Sr,Ba,Zn,Cd,Pb,CuorNi;andx = 1,,4or4.Thepreparations have been carried out by heating alkali dihydrogen phosphate, metal oxide (or carbonate) and diammonium hydrogen phosphate together in the desired stoichiometric ratios at 700°, 800° or 900°, followed by chilling the clear melts obtained. Some of these complex derivatives have also been prepared by treating metal salt solutions with alkali polymetaphosphate followed by precipitation with alcohol. A detailed study has been made of the following properties of these derivatives: molecular weights (M and M,.), viscosity, conductivity, i.r. and n.m.r. spectra. All the derivatives have been shown to behave as long chain metaphosphates and their polymeric character has been further supported by chromatographic and metachromatic studies.