Studies of nanostructuring in cesium magnesium tungsten phosphate glass

Cs2O–MgO–WO3–P2O5 glass was examined in a broad temperature range using heat capacity, Raman and Brillouin scattering methods. The main aim was to study the elastic properties of the as-prepared glass, the mechanism of nanostructuring in this material and the influence of nanostructuring on its elastic properties. It was shown that this glass exhibits prominent nanocrystallization during thermal treatment, giving Cs(Mg0.25W1.75)O6 nanocrystals with the size of 4–10 nm. The crystallization process was hindered when crystallinity reached about 14 ± 0.6 wt%. The origin of this behavior was discussed. It was also demonstrated that the elastic properties are largely improved by nanocrystallization.