The vibrational density of states (VDOS) and the heat capacities of amorphous SiO2 and
several (Na2
O)x
(SiO2)1−x,
x = 0.2,
0.333, 0.5, silicate glasses have been calculated using computer models generated by
molecular dynamics and the reverse Monte Carlo method. Significant changes in
the VDOS upon addition of Na2O are predicted. Comparison with experimental
data and previous calculations shows that the heat capacity is sensitive mainly
to the strength of the Na–O and Si–O pair interactions but not to the
medium-range order and the preparation history of the models. It is demonstrated
that the increase of the specific heat with increasing alkali oxide for T > 30 K
is due to an increase of the Na and non-bridging oxygen partial heat capacities.