EVALUATION OF THE CONCENTRATION OF BOROXOL RINGS IN VITREOUS B2O3 BY THE STOCHASTIC MATRIX-METHOD

A statistical model in which the stochastic matrix method is applied i s used to find the fraction of boron atoms belonging to boroxol rings in a boron oxide (B2O3) glass. The method also enables one to evaluate the characteristic energies related to the formation of a single B-O- B unit in an oxygen bridge or in a boroxol ring. The qualitative behav iour of the heat capacity C-p(T) during the glass transition is reprod uced, with the inflexion point at the temperature given by the experim ent. The model also gives a reasonable qualitative prediction for a ch aracteristic exponent ruling the growth of microclusters, which may in turn be related to the specific volume.