Optical Basicity of Glasses: Review and Application in Nuclear Glass Formulation

Optical basicity (OB) values have been compiled, reviewed, and computed for 95 binary oxides using electronegativity, ionic–covalent parameter, and optical properties methods. The merits of the various scales are discussed. A current, self‐consistent set of values are recommended for use. These oxide optical basicity values should prove useful for assessing complex compounds and glasses such as those encountered in nuclear waste vitrification. Extensions of the oxide scale to sulfides, halides, and nitrides are discussed, as well as micro‐basicity and group basicity concepts. A few examples are given of the use of optical basicity for understanding the uranium speciation in glasses, the inclusion of halides in oxide glasses, and the prediction of crystallization of nepheline. Further application of OB to broad problems in glass science is enabled given the robust set of coefficients compiled for this work.