A reverse Monte Carlo study of lead metasilicate glass

Total structure factors from anomalous X-ray scattering (AXS) and neutron d iffraction (ND) measurements on lead metasilicate (PbSiO3) glass have been analyzed by the reverse Monte Carlo (RMC) modelling technique to generate a three-dimensional structural model of the glass. The structure determined indicates an ordered distribution of Pb in the glass, suggesting that the i ntermediate-range order (IRO) is due to the presence of a ring-like structu re made up of irregular PbO4 pyramids. This network-former-like role of the Pb ions may provide a crucial key to the understanding of the glass-formin g ability of the PbO-SiO2 system especially up to high concentrations of Pb O.