Hydrogen-to-alkali ratio in hydrated alkali aluminosilicate glass surfaces

Nuclear Reaction Analysis was used in conjunction with Rutherford Backscattering Spectroscopy to investigate the interaction of water with surfaces of alkali aluminosilicate glasses. The results show that alkali-proton exchange appears to take place, in contrast to the popular notion of alkali–hydronium ion-exchange, when alkali aluminosilicate glasses with different alkali species are treated in water.

► Glass surface reacted with water was characterized using NRA and RBA. ► The ratio of hydrogen to alkali concentration in the original glasses was close to unity. ► The results indicate that proton–alkali ion-exchange is taking place during the silicate glass water reaction.