General Approach to the Nucleation and Crystal Growth in Sb0.5Se99.5 Glass Explaining the Shape of DSC Curves

Crystallization of amorphous Sb0.5Se99.5 glass in the form of bulk and powder with defined particle sizes (prepared in protective atmosphere of argon) was studied by DSC. Different forms of sample exhibit quite complex behavior involving crystallization on the surface and in the volume of the sample, and this is reflected in the shape of DSC curve. Standard kinetic analysis cannot describe experimental results with interpretation of the crystal growth mechanism, although the deconvolution procedure was done using several kinetic models, because of the time-lag of crystallization in the volume. However, theoretical curves based on nucleation and crystal growth rates, calculated separately for the process on the surface and in the volume of the sample, correspond well to real data and explain the distinctive change in the shape of DSC curves with particle sizes.