Liquid water and vitreous B2O3 are the endpoints of a continuous range of random networks in which hydrogen bonds gradually replace covalent bonds. Previous work has shown that glasses can be obtained by quenching in the range x≤ 0.50. We report the wide-angle x-ray scattering by the liquid phase in the composition range from x = 0.38 to x = 1.00 (pure water) at temperatures just above the liquidus. The first sharp diffraction peak (FSDP) remains at an approximately constant position in the range from 0≤x≤0.8. Beyond this range, the position of the FSDP shifts linearly to higher angles. The relative concentration of the molecular species in the glasses and melts were measured with micro-Raman spectroscopy. Small molecular species are found for glasses and liquids with x>0.36, determining the critical point at which the sample ceases to be a single macromolecule. Molecular water is present in liquids with x>0.62.
@article{arxiv.0911.4049,
title = {XRD and micro-Raman study of structural transformations in (B2O3)_{1-x}(H2O)_x glasses and liquids},
author = {Ralf Bruning and Justine B. Galbraith and Katherine E. Braedley and Jonathan Johnstone and Jaqcues Robichaud and Subramanian Balaji and Yahia Djaoued},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:0911.4049},
year = {2009}
}