Silicate glasses with unprecedented high nitrogen and electropositive metal contents obtained by using metals as precursors

A novel glass-synthesis route involving the reaction of electropositive elements in the metallic state with Si₃N₄ and SiO ₂ in N₂ atmosphere was presented. The latest glasses constituted a significant extension of silicate glass compositions and also showed high chemical flexibility. The glasses were prepared with significantly high nitrogen contents which exhibited enhanced optical and mechanical properties. It was found that during synthesis, the electropositive metal reacted at a comparatively low temperature with the N₂gas and formed a nitride without surface oxide layer and was thus very reactive.