First-order phase transformation and structural studies in Se.sub.85In.sub.15-xZn.sub.x chalcogenide glasses

Present research work describes the crystallization kinetics and structural studies in Se.sub.85In.sub.15-xZn.sub.x chalcogenide glasses. Bulk alloys of Se.sub.85In.sub.15-xZn.sub.x were synthesized by melt-quenching procedure. High resolution X-ray diffraction (HRXRD) was used to confirm the amorphous nature of synthesized samples. Non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) measurements were performed at 5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 K min.sup.-1 heating rates to study kinetics of crystallization in Se.sub.85In.sub.15-xZn.sub.x. Various crystallization parameters such as glass transition (T.sub.g), onset crystalline (T.sub.c), peak crystallization (T.sub.p) and melting temperature (T.sub.m) were calculated from DSC curves. The activation energies of structural relaxation ([DELTA]E.sub.t) and crystallization ([DELTA]E.sub.c) were determined by using Kissinger, Moynihan and Ozawa approaches. [DELTA]E.sub.t is found to be the lowest for Se.sub.85In.sub.6Zn.sub.9 sample which shows this sample has the highest probability of escape to a state of lower configurational energy and has greater stability. Thermal stability of various compositions was studied and found to vary with Zn content. Further, HRXRD and field emission scanning electron microscope were used for the study of first phase transformation in Se.sub.85In.sub.15-xZn.sub.x samples.