Publications
Sort:
Issue
Structural Evolution Mechanism of Na2O in Regulating the Viscosity-Temperature Characteristics of Silicate Slag
Journal of Xinjiang University(Natural Science Edition in Chinese and English) 2026, 43(4): 483-496
Published: 25 July 2026
Abstract PDF (18.5 MB) Collect
Downloads:0

The flow behavior of molten slag directly impacts the stability of slag removal processes in high-temperature furnaces, with alkali metal oxides exerting a significant influence on slag flow characteristics. To elucidate the structural evolution mechanism by which Na2O modulates the viscosity-temperature properties of silicate slag, molecular dynamics simulations, FactSage thermodynamic calculations, and Raman spectroscopy analysis are employed to investigate the effects of NaO content on slag structure and viscosity under fixed SiO2/Al2O3 conditions. Results indicate that as Na2O content increases within the 0 wt%-8.91 wt% range, the complex structural unit [Si2O5]2−(Q3) continuously depolymerizes into [SiO4]4−(Q0) and [Si2O7]6−(Q1), leading to increased non-bridging oxygen (NBO) proportion and decreased polymerization degree (DOP). Concurrently, Na+ compensates for Al3+ charges, promoting the transformation of unstable [AlO6] octahedra into more stable [AlO4] tetrahedra. The network depolymerization effect of Na2O dominates its macroscopic viscosity-temperature behavior, resulting in a significant viscosity decrease with a good linear correlation between viscosity and degree of polymerization. Below the liquidus temperature range, when Na2O<8.91 wt%, its addition suppresses slag crystallization tendencies. This promotes the transformation of high-melting-point minerals like wollastonite and calcium feldspar into low-melting-point feldspars, thereby enhancing slag fluidity and reducing viscosity. This study reveals the microscopic mechanism by which Na2O regulates the viscosity-temperature characteristics of silicate slag, providing a theoretical basis for safe slag disposal.

Total 1