Nonisothermal crystallisation kinetics of amorphous selenium prepared by high-energy ball milling: A comparison with the melt-quenching and thin-film techniques

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were performed under nonisothermal conditions at various heating rates for glassy Se made by high-energy ball milling. Comparisons were made between the ball-milling technique and the melt-quenching and thin-film techniques. Well-defined endothermic and exothermic peaks were observed at the glass-transition temperature, Tg, and the onset temperature of crystallisation, Tc. The isoconversional method of Vyazovkin was used to determine the variation in the activation energy for crystallisation with temperature, Eα(T). The value of Eα(T) was dependent on the sample preparation method. The thermal stability of the Se glasses was evaluated by calculation of the temperature difference (Tc − Tg) and the S-parameter. In addition, the glass-forming ability was estimated by the criteria of reduced glass-transition temperature, Trg, and the Hruby number, HR. The structures of the Se samples that resulted from the DSC analysis were identified using an X-ray diffractometer. The glasses formed using the thin film technique were the most stable.

► DSC studies were performed for glassy Se made by high-energy ball milling. ► Comparisons with the melt-quenching and thin-film techniques were done. ► The activation energy for crystallisation was determined by Vyazovkin method. ► The thermal stability of the Se glasses was evaluated. ► The glasses formed using the thin film technique were the most stable.