Crystallization processes in Ge2Sb2Se4Te glass

• Crystallization kinetics of Ge2Sb2Se4Te glass was studied in dependence on particle size by DSC.
• All studied fractions were described in terms of the SB autocatalytic model.
• Relatively high amount of Te enhances manifestation of bulk crystallization mechanisms.
• XRD analysis of samples crystallized under different conditions showed correlation with DSC data.
• XRD analysis revealed a new crystallization mechanism indistinguishable by DSC.

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to study crystallization in Ge2Sb2Se4Te glass under non-isothermal conditions as a function of the particle size. The crystallization kinetics was described in terms of the autocatalytic Šesták–Berggren model. An extensive discussion of all aspects of a full-scale kinetic study of a crystallization process was undertaken. Dominance of the crystallization process originating from mechanically induced strains and heterogeneities was confirmed. Substitution of Se by Te was found to enhance the manifestation of the bulk crystallization mechanisms (at the expense of surface crystallization). The XRD analysis showed significant dependence of the crystalline structural parameters on the crystallization conditions (initial particle size of the glassy grains and applied heating rate). Based on this information, a new microstructural crystallization mechanism, indistinguishable by DSC, was proposed.

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