A study of the crystallization kinetics of some Se–Te–Sb glasses

Abstract

Results of differential thermal analyses (DTA) under non-isothermal conditions on three glasses of the Se 85− x Te 15Sb x ( x=0, 3 and 9) are reported and discussed. The glass transition temperatures ( T g), the onset crystallization temperatures ( T c), and the peak temperature of crystallization ( T p) were found to be dependent on the compositions and the heating rates. From the dependence on heating rates of ( T g) and ( T p) the activation energy for glass transition ( E g) and the activation energy for crystallization ( E c) are calculated and their composition dependence discussed. The crystalline phases resulting from DTA have been identified using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The results indicate one dimensional growth for the compositions Se 82Te 15Sb 3 and Se 76Te 15Sb 9 and two dimensional growth for the composition Se 85Te 15. The kinetic parameters determined have made it possible to discuss the glass-forming ability.