On The Mechanism Of Diffusion Of Water In Silica Glass

Diffusion of water into silica glass has been studied at low temperatures. Hydrothermal treatments were made with water of normal isotopic composition and water enriched in O eighteen. Hydrogen and O eighteen concentration profiles were measured employing nuclear reaction analysis. It was concluded that an equilibrium or near-equilibrium state with regard to the concentrations of H2O molecules and SiOH groups had been reached, the SiOH groups being formed by (reversible) reactions of H2O molecules with the SiO2 network.