Glass transition, thermal stability and glass-forming tendency of Se 90− xTe 5Sn 5In x multi-component chalcogenide glasses

Abstract

Glass transition kinetics of glassy Se 90− x Te 5Sn 5In x ( x = 0, 3, 6 and 9) alloys have been investigated using differential scanning calorimetric (DSC) technique under non-isothermal conditions at different heating rates 5, 10, 15 and 20 K/min. It is observed that in these glasses, the glass transition temperature ( T g ) is found to be dependent on composition and heating rates. The activation energy of glass transition ( E g ), fragility index ( F) and stability parameter ( S) are evaluated for glassy Se–Te–Sn–In alloys. The glass transition activation energy ( E g ) and fragility index ( F) were found to be minimum at 9 at.% of In, as well as thermal stability parameter ( S) was found to be maximum at same glassy composition due to maximum crosslinking structures. Results indicate that thermal stability increases on the addition of In to ternary Se 90Te 5Sn 5 glass. Hence Se 81Te 5Sn 5In 9 glass is the better thermally stable glass in this system.