Behavior of Oxygen Equilibrium Pressure in CRT Glass Melts doped with Sb and Ce ions from the Viewpoint of Fining

The behavior of oxygen gas participating in fining was observed in CRT (Cathode Ray Tube) glass melts doped with $Sb_2O_5\;or\;CeO_2$ by means of a yttria-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) electrode. The temperature dependence of the oxygen equilibrium pressure ($P_{o2}$) or the activity in both melts showed typical behavior corresponding to a theoretical redox reaction. In other words, the $P_{o2}$ value of melts with $CeO_2$ was lower than that of melts with $Sb_2O_5$ above $1250^{\circ}C$. The result implies that $Sb_2O_5$, is more efficient as a fining agent compared to $CeO_2$. On the other hand, melts from a batch containing $Sb_2O_5\;and\;KNO_3$ showed much higher $P_{o2}$ values compared to melts without $KNO_3$ above $1350^{\circ}C$. It is suggested that the addition of $KNO_3$ to CRT glass batch contributes partly to the first fining of the melts.