On the crystallization kinetics of multicomponent nano-chalcogenide Se79-x Te15In6Pbx (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) alloys

Abstract

Nanotechnology continuously rises due to its potential applications. To control nano-materials design and microstructure, it is very essential to understand nucleation and crystalline growth in these materials. In this research contribution, crystallization kinetics and thermal behaviour of nano-crystalline Se79-x Te15In6Pb x (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 at. wt%) chalcogenide alloys is analyzed through differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) process under non-isothermal conditions at four different heating rates; 5, 10, 15 and 20 °C min−1. The examined Se-Te-In-Pb nano-chalcogenide system is prepared through melt-quenching process. Characteristic temperatures namely glass transition temperature (T g), onset crystallization temperature (To), peak temperature of crystallization (T p) and melting temperature (T m) show dependence on heating rate and composition. The various kinetic parameters such as activation energy of glass transition (E g), activation energy of crystallization (E c), reduced glass transition temperature (T rg), Hruby number (K gl), thermal stability parameters (S and H’) and fragility index (F i) are analyzed for investigated Se-Te-In-Pb nano-crystalline system. Different empirical approaches are applied to determine the apparent glass transition activation energy (E g) and crystallization activation energy (E c).