Coupled phase diagram experiment and thermodynamic modeling of the ZnO-SnO2-SiO2 system

The phase diagram of the ZnO-SnO2-SiO2 systems was experimentally investigated at 1200-1675 degrees C using the classical equilibration/quenching method and differential thermal analysis (DTA) followed by X-ray diffraction (XRD) phase analysis and electron probe micro-analysis (EPMA). Sealed platinum capsules were employed for preventing the evaporation of ZnO and SnO2 in the experiments. For the first time, the general feature of the ZnO-SnO2-SiO2 phase diagrams was revealed experimentally. Based on new experimental phase diagram data, the ZnO-SnO2-SiO2 system was thermodynamically modeled using the CALculation of PHAse Diagram (CALPHAD) method, and the resultant models and optimized parameters were utilized to predict the entire phase diagram and thermodynamic properties of the ternary system.