Kinetic studies of bulk Se92Te82xSnx (x 5 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) semiconducting glasses by DSC technique

Abstract

Bulk samples of Se92Te8-xSnx glassy alloys are obtained by melt quenching technique. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) technique (under non-isothermal conditions) has been applied to determine the thermal properties of Se-rich glassy alloys at different heating rates. Results of glass transition temperature, enthalpy released, fragility and specific heat of Se92Te8-xSnx (x = 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5) chalcogenide glasses have been reported and discussed. The glass transition temperature (Tg), activation energy of glass transition and fragility are found to increase with increase in Sn content. The glass transition temperature (by Gibbs–Dimarzio equation) also has been calculated. Both values of Tg (experimental as well as theoretical) are found to be in good agreement at a heating rate of 10 K min-1. It has been observed that the value of specific heat (Cp) below glass transition and difference in the value of Cp before and after glass transition (DCp) is highly compositional dependent. The enthalpy release is related to the metastability of the glasses, and the least stable glasses are supposed to have maximum DHc.