Optical Properties and Radiation Resistance of Zinc Orthosilicate Obtained by the Hydrothermal–Microwave Method

Abstract

A hydrothermal–microwave method for the synthesis of zinc orthosilicate is developed. A crystalline phase of zinc orthosilicate, willemite, is synthesized at low temperature and its optical characteristics are determined. The dependence of the diffuse reflection coefficient on the irradiation at low temperatures (90 K) and pressures of 10^–5–10^–6 Pa is studied. The results of gravimetric, X-ray phase, and thermographic studies shows that the microwave synthesis of zinc orthosilicate from water-soluble salts of the initial components accelerates at lower temperatures of willemite formation. The microwave treatment of the initial zinc orthosilicate provides the production of nanodispersed willemite powder at lower temperatures and shorter expositions.