Glass transition, thermal stability and glass-forming ability of Se₉₀In_10−xSb_x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) chalcogenide glasses

Abstract

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) has been employed to investigate the glass transition activation energy E _g, thermal stability and glass-forming ability (GFA) of Se₉₀In_{10− x} Sb _x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10) chalcogenide glasses. DSC runs were performed at six different heating rates. Well-defined endothermic and exothermic peaks were obtained at glass transition and crystallization temperature. The dependence of glass transition temperature T _g on heating rate (α), as well as composition of Sb, has been studied. From the dependence of glass transition temperature on heating rate, the E _g has been calculated on the basis of the Kissinger [Anal. Chem. 29 (1957) p.1702] and Moynihan [J. Phys. Chem. 78 (1974) p.267] models. Thermal stability has been monitored through the calculation of temperature differences T _c–T _g, the stability parameter S, and the enthalpy released during crystallization H _c. The GFA has been investigated on the basis of the Hruby parameter H _r, which is strong indicator of GFA. Results for GFA are in good agreement with fragility index F _i calculations, indicating that Se₉₀In₆Sb₄ is an excellent glass-former.

Keywords:

• DSC
• glass transition
• thermal stability
• glass forming ability

Acknowledgements

PKJ thanks the University Grant Commission (UGC) for financial support provided in the form of a Junior Research Fellowship. The authors thank K.S. Rathore and Manasvi Dixit for their assistance during the course of this work.