Surface crystallization behavior and physical properties of (GeTe4)85(AgI)15 chalcogenide glass

Glass-ceramics embedded Te and α-GeTe particles were fabricated from (GeTe4)85(AgI)15 chalcohalide glass using an appropriate heat-treatment at fairly low temperatures ranging from 160 to 190 °C for different times. The crystallization behavior and physical properties of the obtained samples were studied in detail. The glass transition temperature of crystallized samples increases with the elongation of crystallization times. And the results of mechanical properties show that, compared with the base glass, the crystallized samples present improved thermal shock resistance and fracture toughness, and meanwhile still remain its good IR transmittance. This study could provide an initial observation of crystallization in telluride glasses, and be of good guidance to fabricate novel telluride glass-ceramics that operating in far-IR spectral region ranging from 2.5 μm to 25 μm.