Crystallization processes in Ge2Sb2Se4Te glass

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis were used to study crystallization in Ge2Sb2Se4Te glass under non-isothermal conditions as a function of the particle size. The crystallization kinetics was described in terms of the autocatalytic Šesták–Berggren model. An extensive discussion of all aspects of a full-scale kinetic study of a crystallization process was undertaken. Dominance of the crystallization process originating from mechanically induced strains and heterogeneities was confirmed. Substitution of Se by Te was found to enhance the manifestation of the bulk crystallization mechanisms (at the expense of surface crystallization). The XRD analysis showed significant dependence of the crystalline structural parameters on the crystallization conditions (initial particle size of the glassy grains and applied heating rate). Based on this information, a new microstructural crystallization mechanism, indistinguishable by DSC, was proposed.