SUZ-4 zeolite was synthesized by a one-step method with silica fume and coal fly ash as main raw materials. The effects of gel ratio, seed amount, crystallization parameter on the synthesis performance of SUZ-4 zeolite (C-SUZ-4) with a high crystallinity of 96 % were investigated. The adsorption of methylene blue (MB) by C-SUZ-4 zeolite is effective due to the electrostatic interaction on the external surface of the zeolite. The adsorption ability of C-SUZ-4 zeolite could be affected slightly by the impurities in the zeolite.

ZSM-5 zeolite with a high Si/Al ratio (n(SiO₂)/n(Al₂O₃)>70) was synthesized in ethanol system via seed-assisted crystallization. The crystal form, morphology and pore structure of ZSM-5 zeolite were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results show that ZSM-5 zeolite with high crystallinity and well-dispersion can be directly synthesized in a single ethanol system when Si/Al ratio is lower than 70 and ethanol/Si ratio is 1.5. However, it is difficult to synthesize ZSM-5 zeolite with a high crystallinity in a single ethanol system when Si/Al ratio is greater than 90. Also, the addition of a small amount of seed can increase Si/Al ratio of ZSM-5 zeolite synthesized in ethanol system to 150, and shorten the crystallization induction period and overall crystallization time. The morphology of ZSM-5 zeolite in seed-assisted crystallization is different from that of ZSM-5 zeolite synthesized in seed or ethanol alone, and the grain sizes are more uniform and the dispersion is higher. The optimum ratio of alkali to silicon decreases with the increase of Si/Al ratio, but it is still necessary to provide enough alkali to dissolve silicon source for crystallization.

Yolk-shell structure hollow silica nanospheres were prepared with TEOS as a silica precursor and polystyrene sphere as a template by a continuous hard-template wrapping synthesis method and subsequent high temperature calcining. The structure, morphology and properties of the as-synthesized products were characterized by zeta potential analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption isotherm and thermal conductivity analysis. The thermal insulation properties of acrylate coating with yolk-shell structure hollow silica nanospheres were investigated. The results show yolk-shell structure hollow silica nanospheres with 20-290 nm layer space have a petal-like morphology. The thermal conductivity is 0.0500-0.0650 W·m^-1·K^-1, which increases with the increase of inner core particle size. The incorporation of yolk-shell structure hollow silica nanospheres into acrylate coating can effectively reduce the thermal conductivity of the coating, which can be reduced by more than 70% at the incorporation content of 8%. Compared to single shell hollow silica nanospheres, yolk-shell structure hollow silica nanospheres have a decreased thermal conductivity of the coating and a better thermal insulation performance.

Copper smelting anode slag and magnesia-chrome brick located in different parts of rotary anode furnace were characterized by X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction reflection polarizing microscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-energy dispersive spectroscopy. The damage mechanism of magnesia-chrome brick was investigated. The results show that the damage index of the magnesia-chrome bricks at the end wall, cylinder and tuyere (redox opening) of the anode furnace in service for 8 months are 8.9%, 21.6%, and 55.1%, respectively. The end wall magnesia chrome brick is mainly eroded by silicate phase to form forsterite (Mg₂SiO₄), which forms a dense slag layer at the hot end of magnesia chrome brick, and hinders the erosion and penetration of molten copper and slag, leading to the minimum corrosion degree of magnesia chrome brick. The magnesia chrome brick of cylinder is corroded and penetrated by copper and cuprous oxide. The rotation of furnace and serious erosion and penetration increase the probability of structural spalling of magnesia chrome brick, and the degree of erosion is greater than that of end wall magnesia chrome brick. A high oxygen potential of the redox tuyere magnesia-chrome brick in the oxidation stage can suffer the greatest penetration of cuprous oxide. The alkaline flux sodium carbonate added during slagging has a more obvious aggravating effect on the erosion of the magnesia-chrome brick. Na₂O from Na₂CO₃ decomposition reacts with part of the chromium spinel to form Na₂Cr₂O₄, which destroys the direct bonding of magnesia-chrome bricks. In addition, the complex service environment such as melt erosion, turbulence, and reducing agent injection causes a frequent peeling of the redox tuyere magnesia-chrome brick structure with the maximum degree of corrosion.

A nano-carbon/MgAl₂O₄ spinel composite powder was prepared with magnesia citrate and alumina via buried carbon-bed sintering. The nano-carbon/MgAl₂O₄ spinel composite powder was investigated by X-ray diffraction, field emission scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive spectroscopy. The effect of composite powder amount on the physical properties, oxidation resistance, slag corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance for low-carbon Al₂O₃-C refractories was investigated. The results show that carbon in the nano-carbon/MgAl₂O₄ spinel composite powder is equally distributed, and attached onto the spinel grain surface or mixed between the grains, leading to the composite powder having the corrosion resistance and thermal shock resistance for the low-carbon Al₂O₃-C refractories. Compared to the blank sample, the corrosion resistance of the sample with nano-carbon/MgAl₂O₄ spinel composite powder of 4.5% (in mass fraction) is increased by 71.3%, the thermal shock resistance is improved, and the residual strength retention rate is increased by 43.2%, thus indicating that the nano- carbon/MgAl₂O₄ spinel composite powder can improve the properties of low-carbon Al₂O₃-C refractories.

Silver nanoclusters (Ag-NCs) with a small number of silver atoms or ions have discrete energy bands, thus exhibiting a size-dependent tunable emitting behavior with a high quantum yield. The Ag-NCs can be used as desirable sensitizers for rare-earth element ions to achieve an enhanced and tunable emission for diverse applications. Glasses are desirable matrixes to disperse and stabilize Ag-NCs due to their high transparency and excellent chemical/thermal stability. This review represented the preparation and control of Ag-NCs dispersed glasses, the luminescent properties of Ag-NCs and their sensitization for rare-earth element ions as well. The applications of Ag-NCs and rare-earth element ions co-doped glasses in a white and tunable light emission and solar cells were described. Besides, the problems encountered in current studies and the corresponding possible solutions were also discussed.

The effect of alumina (Al₂O₃) on the chemical durability of borosilicate glasses, 70SiO₂-(20-x)B₂O₃-_xAl₂O₃-10Na₂O, x=0, 5, 10, 15 and 20 (molar fraction), in water, HCl and NaOH aqueous solutions, was investigated via liquid resistance tests. The chemical stability of aluminoborosilicate glass was discussed based on the glass structure, and the mechanism of chemical attack in different solutions was proposed. The results show that a significant enhancement in the chemical durability in water, HCl and NaOH aqueous solutions occurs after the incorporation of Al³⁺ into the oxide glass network. The structural analysis indicates that the relatively low chemical durability of the glass as x=0 is correlated to the presence of BO₄ with three and four non-bridging oxygen (NBO) in the melts. Consequently, the glass is eroded more quickly during the attack of the aqueous solutions, resulting in a porous glass surface. The chemical durability can be improved due to the addition of Al₂O₃ into the glass network, suppressing the formation of BO₄.

The morphology and structure of fiber precursors before and after acid leaching were characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and infrared spectroscopy (IR), and the Na⁺ leaching process was characterized by inductively coupled plasma spectrometry (ICP). The effects of hydrochloric acid concentration, leaching temperature and time on the leaching rate of Na⁺ and mechanical properties of the fiber precursor were investigated. The Na⁺ leaching rate reaches 85% after leaching in 3 mol/L hydrochloric acid solution for 12 h at 90℃_. The maximum strength retention rate of the fiber after leaching can be obtained when the concentration of hydrochloric acid is 5 mol/L. In this case, Na⁺ ions in the fiber are replaced with H⁺ ions in hydrochloric acid during the acid leaching process, whereas hydroxyl group is further polymerized and dehydrated, thus strengthening the glass network during the heat treatment process and improving the fiber strength.

Fluorescent glass-ceramic (GC) is an opto-functional composite material consisting of crystalline and amorphous phases. Low-temperature co-sintering method is an effective technical approach that can be used to regulate the ordered and disordered structures in this composite material, thus enabling "bottom-up" and "on-demand" design. In this review, material systems of fluorescent GC prepared by the low-temperature co-sintering method were outlined, and the structural manipulation, structure-property relationship and the improvement of luminescent property were emphasized. Recent applications in advanced optoelectronic devices were represented, and some possible aspects in the future development were discussed, such as development of novel material systems, interfacial chemical bond effect and interfacial ion diffusion mechanism. Moreover, optical simulation techniques and exploration of novel applications were elaborated.

Recent work on the characterization of nanoparticles crystallization process in glassy matrix by in-situ transmission electron microscopy (TEM) was represented. In-situ TEM technique as an effective tool can determine the structural dynamics of nanoparticles in real-time to clarify and optimize their structures and properties. We summarized the dynamic process stages of glass ceramics growth, i.e., phase separation, nucleation, crystallization and coalescence. The electron beam (E-beam) and thermal effects on the nanoparticle growth process in glassy matrix were discussed. In addition, the opportunities and challenges of in-situ TEM applied to glass ceramics were also proposed.