Deuterium and hydrogen electrode characteristics of lithia-silica glasses

The pH and pD responses of a series of li th ia-silica glasses have been investigate d and com pared with the hygrosco picity, deu teroscopicity , a nd chemical durability of the glasses in aqueous and deuterium oxide buffers. The curves for pH and pD response as a function of compos ition pass thro ugh an optimum electrode response t hat is limited on the low percentage of s ilica end by poor ch emical durabilit y and a strong te ndency to de vit rify upon reheating the glasses for the purpose of blowing the electrodes. The optimum also falls off on the hi gh-silica end where opalescence appears and the h ygro-a nd deuteroscopicit ies decrease.