Crystallization kinetics in Se–Te glassy system

Abstract

Differential scanning calorimetry measurements were used to study crystallization in the Se yTe (1 − y) glassy system under non-isothermal conditions. The examined compositions were y = 0.1, 0.2 and 0.3. The crystallization kinetics was described in terms of the Johnson–Mehl–Avrami nucleation–growth model. It was found that with the addition of tellurium into the selenium matrix the apparent activation energy of the crystallization process monotonically increases and, more importantly, the parameter of the JMA model m decreases. This change in the crystallization mechanism was interpreted as a gradual crossover from surface to bulk process. Both processes are competitive and proceed simultaneously in glasses with low tellurium content, while in the case of increased Te content the surface crystallization mechanism recedes. The transition between mechanisms was discussed in terms of changes in molecular structure of the material.