The selenium based chalcogenide glasses with low content of As and Sb: DSC, StepScan DSC and Raman spectroscopy study

Thermal properties and structure of As_xSe_100−x and Sb_xSe_100−x glass-forming systems (x = 0, 1, 2, 4, 8 and 16) were studied by conventional and StepScan DSCs and Raman spectroscopy. Compositional dependence of the glass transition temperature, T_g, was determined from reversible part of StepScan DSC records and discussed. The attention was also focused on the crystallization of undercooled melts of these systems. It was found that only selenium crystallizes from undercooled melts of As–Se system and its tendency to crystallize decreases markedly with increasing As content, for arsenic content higher than 4 at.% no crystallization was observed. In the case of Sb–Se system Sb₂Se₃ crystallizes in the first step followed by trigonal selenium crystallization from non-stoichiometric undercooled melt. Sb₂Se₃ crystallizes from incongruent melt with crystallization enthalpy ΔH_c(Sb₂Se₃) = −52 ± 2 J/(g of Sb₂Se₃), Johnson–Mehl–Avrami kinetics of crystallization and kinetic exponent close to 3 was found. Raman spectra were measured to obtain basic information on the structure of both glassy systems.     

Structure, electrical, optical and thermal properties of Ge4Sb4Tex (x = 8, 9 and 10) thin films

The crystalline samples of Ge₄Sb₄Te₁₀, Ge₄Sb₄Te₉, and Ge₄Sb₄Te₈ were prepared and their amorphous semiconducting thin films obtained by flash evaporation. Their sheet resistance decreased slowly with temperature up to 147–160 °C with activation energy of electrical conductivity ΔE = 0.40–0.44 eV. Above these temperatures, the sheet resistance drops abruptly by several orders due to crystallization. The drop of resistivity proceeds in two steps. Two steps of phase change were also found on curves of DSC and on the temperature dependence of index of refraction. It pays for slow heating rates, crystallization induced by short (≈30 ns) laser pulses proceeds probably in one step only for all studied samples (as it follows from X-ray diffraction), not only for Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ in which a single phase formation was confirmed. The crystallization temperatures are increasing slightly with decreasing Te content in the series Ge₄Sb₄Te₁₀–Ge₄Sb₄Te₉–Ge₄Sb₄Te₈ from 147 to 160 °C. The X-ray diffractograms revealed that in laser crystallized samples can be found only cubic modification of Ge₂Sb₂Te₅ type (a = 0.6 nm), while the samples annealed (230 °C, 2 h) or annealed after the crystallization with laser pulse, contain also small amounts of hexagonal phase.     

Nucleation velocity of NaPO3 melts

The time τ for visible crystallization of NaPO₃ melts is measured in the whole range of undercoolings from the melting temperature T_m to the temperature of vitrification T_g. It is shown that the time τ, needed for the appearance of a visible crystallization at high supersaturations is determined by the linear growth rate, whereas the rate of heterogeneous nucleation is the main factor, determining the experimentally measured time τ at low supersaturations. The specific surface energy σ at the melt-crystal interface is calculated from the data on nucleation velocity in the vicinity of T_m and the temperature dependences of both heterogeneous and homogeneous nucleation velocity for NaPO₃ melts are constructed. It is concluded that at normal cooling rates only nucleation, initiated by active crystallized cores could be observed for NaPO₃.     

Effect of boron on the crystallization of amorphous Si–(B–)C–N polymer-derived ceramics

Amorphous Si–(B–)C–N polymer-derived ceramics (PDCs) with a boron content ranging from 0 to 8.3 at.%, were synthesized by thermolysis of boron-modified poly(methylvinylsilazane). Correlation of the boron content and the thermal stability of these materials in the course of annealing were investigated using high temperature thermal gravimetric analysis (HT-TGA). Furthermore, the initial crystallization of the as-thermolyzed amorphous ceramics was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. The increase of boron content promotes the crystallization of SiC, and inhibits the crystallization of Si₃N₄. Moreover, the ratio of α-Si₃N₄/β-Si₃N₄ in crystalline ceramic decreases with increasing boron content. Thermodynamic modeling proves the influence of boron content on driving force for crystallization. The available thermodynamic model of amorphous Si–C–N domains, nano-crystalline silicon nitride, and nano-crystalline silicon carbide treated as the separated phases has been used to interpret these results.     

The Activity of Substrates in the Catalyzed Nucleation of Undercooled Melts and Aqueous Aerosols

The aim of the present contribution is to analyze and to correlate the experimental evidence on the catalyzed nucleation in the crystallization of undercooled melts. This is done by using a new, generalized theoretical approach accounting for both the thermodynamics of adhesion (i.e. the interface bonding) and for correcting structural factors. Beside the usually considered lattice discrepancy substrate/overgrowing crystal in the present contribution as an additional structural corrective is introduced the polarizability of the building units of both interface constituents. It is shown that such a combined approach gives for the first time a way to correlate quantitatively experiment and theory in the case both of heterogeneous meteorolgical important nucleation catalysis and in the crystallization of glassforming organic and inorganic polymer melts. This approach leads to the possibility of predicting further promising nucleation catalysts and especially appropriate substrates in the induced crystallization of ice from undercooled water. An additional advantage of the theoretical concept derived here is that it allows also the determination of nucleation activity, Φ, of amorphous substrates or of crystallization cores with distorted structure – i.e. in cases, where the lattice discrepancy approach is impossible from the very beginning. Two main sources of experimental data are used: crystallization of aqueous aerosols induced by various crystallization cores and the heterogeneous crystallization of undercooled glassforming melts. Thus a new solution of a classical problem is attempted which may be of use in both meteorology and in the technical applications of induced nucleation by using foreign substrates.     

Crystal structure of the hemitoluene solvate of racemiccis-bis(bipyridyl)chloro(tri-n-propylphosphine)ruthenium(II) perchlorate,a species with disordered PPr3 and toluene moieties

The complexcis-[Ru(bpy)₂(PPr₃)Cl⁺][ClO ₄ ^– ] · 0.5 (toluene) crystallizes as a racemate in the monoclinic space group P2₁/n. Both the PPr₃ ligand and the toluene of crystallization are subject to disorder. Ruthenium—ligand distances are: Ru–PPr₃=2.348(2) Å, Ru–Cl=2.426(2) Å and Ru–N(bpy)=2.035(6)–2.112(5) Å.     

Crystallization of AgGaS2 melts enriched with Ag2S and Ga2S3

In this work we consider experiments with directed crystallization of melts with slight deviation from stoichiometric composition of AgGaS₂. The evolution of melt composition was calculated for both experiments using measured chemical composition of the solid phase. Also the difference in unit cell parameters and luminescence spectra for AgGaS₂ grown from the melts was found. Both monocrystal samples and samples synthesized from elementary Ag, Ga and S were used for thermal analyses. Obtained data suggests that different ways of preparing the samples are responsible for defects concentration and thus for so wide range (70°C) of melting temperatures reported in scientific literature. (© 2008 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Formation and structure of crystalline inclusions in As2S3–SbSI and As2Se3–SbSI systems glass matrices

The main aim of the study presented in this paper is the investigation of the structure of (As₂S₃)_100?x(SbSI)_x and (As₂Se₃)_100?x(SbSI)_x (0 ≤ × ≤ 40) glasses by Raman spectroscopy and X-ray methods, also the nature of the crystalline inclusions which arise up in their matrix at heat treatment. We have found that in conditions of continuous heating in the interval “glassforming temperature–crystallization temperature” a crystallization with predominant mechanism of stable phase SbSI separation is taking place. The formation mechanism of crystalline inclusions of antimony sulphoiodide in glass matrix is discussed in the light of our results. It was established that all investigated glasses have a nano-heterogeneous structure.     

Raman spectra and thermal analysis of a new lead–tellurium–germanate glass system

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and Raman scattering studies of a new glass system, lead–tellurium–germanate glasses in the form of (90−x)GeO₂·xTeO₂·27PbO·10CaO with x=0, 10, 20, 30, and 40, are reported. The glass samples were fabricated using a conventional melt-quenching method. The Raman spectra and possible glass structures are discussed for different TeO₂ contents. The results indicate that increasing TeO₂ content up to 40 mol% in the glass system decreases the glass transition temperature and melting temperature, and suppresses the crystallization tendency in the fiber pulling temperature range. The lead–tellurium–germanate glass, GTPC, possesses a larger refractive index and a smaller maximum phonon energy than that of a lead–germanate glass, 63GeO₂·27PbO·10CaO, and shows a better thermal stability compared to a tellurite glass, 75TeO₂·20ZnO·5Na₂O (TZN). These improved properties could be beneficial for fabricating rare-earth doped fiber devices.     

Transparent phosphosilicate glasses containing crystals formed during cooling of melts

Effect of P₂O₅–SiO₂ substitution on spontaneous crystallization of SiO₂–Al₂O₃–P₂O₅–Na₂O–MgO melts during cooling was studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and rotation viscometry. Results show that addition of P₂O₅ leads to amorphous phase separation (APS), i.e., phosphate- and silicate-rich phases. It is due to the tendency of Mg²⁺ to form [MgO₄] linking with [SiO₄]. Molar substitution of P₂O₅ for SiO₂ enhances the network polymerization of silicate-rich phase in the melts, and thereby the spontaneous crystallization of cubic Na₂MgSiO₄ is also enhanced during cooling of the melts. In addition, the sizes of the local crystalline and separated glassy domains are smaller than the wavelength of the visible light, and this leads to the transparency of the obtained glasses containing crystals.     

Crystal and molecular structure of 1,1,2-trifluorobuta-1,3-diene

A single crystal of 1,1,2-trifluorobuta-1,3-diene, m.p. –108°C, was obtained by in situ crystallization in a capillary directly on a diffractometer. 1,1,2-Trifluorobutadiene crystallizes monoclinic, space group Pc, a = 4.4030(12), b = 6.4160(16), c = 8.293(3) Å, = 91.728(14)°, V = 234.17(12) Å, d _calc = 1.5326 g cm^–3, Z = 2, wR ₂ = 0.1332. The 1,1,2-trifluorobutadiene molecules have an anti conformation, C4–C3–C2–C1 179.17(1)°. There is no fluorine substitution effect on the bond lengths of the conjugated C–C double bonds, C1–C2 1.331(3), C3–C4 1.336(4) Å. The central bond C2–C3 1.436(4) Å is shorter than a single bond because of conjugation. The C–F bond lengths of the CF₂ group are significantly shorter than the one of the CF moiety.     

Te-rich Ge–Te–Se glass for the CO2 infrared detection at 15 μm

Te_80−xGe₂₀Se_x glasses have been prepared along the GeSe₄–GeTe₄ axis using the classical method in silica tube under vacuum. A phase separation domain appears for composition around Te₄₀Ge₂₀Se₄₀. Our attention was turned toward the Te-rich compositions corresponding to 1 < x < 5 at.%. These glasses are transparent from 4 to about 20 μm without any purification of the starting elements. Furthermore the difference ΔT between the crystallization temperature T_x and the vitreous transition temperature T_g lies at about 110 °C that is to say 30 °C higher than for the GeTe₄ reference glass. Finally the introduction of a few percentages of Se makes the glasses much easier to prepare and more stable against crystallization, making them drawable as optical fibers for example. Taking into account their transparency window, encompassing the CO₂ absorption band around 15 μm, the Te_80−xGe₂₀Se_x with 1 < x < 5 at.% could become matchless composition for the CO₂ infrared detection as planed by the Darwin mission of the European Space Agency.     

Crystal growth of Ca3−xYxMn2Ge3O12 and phase relations in the PbO?B2O3?GeO2 based melts

The bulk crystals of Ca_3−xY_xMn₂Ge₃O₁₂ garnets were grown on a seed from the PbO B₂O₃ GeO₂ based melts, where the primary crystallization field of garnets was found. The saturation temperatures of the melts were determined before each growth run. The dependence of Y incorporation into the crystals versus the melt composition was also evaluated.     

Solubility of Ag2O into the Na2O–B2O3–Al2O3 system

The solubility of Ag₂O was measured for the Na₂O–B₂O₃ and Na₂O–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃ system with the rotating crucible method and static method, respectively, under air atmosphere at temperatures ranging from 1273 to 1423 K. The contamination of melts from crucibles could be avoided by the rotating crucible method, with which it became possible to measure the solubility of Ag₂O for the Na₂O–B₂O₃ system above the melting point of Ag for the first time. It was found that the addition of Na₂O decreases the solubility of Ag₂O while the addition of Al₂O₃ had little effect on the solubility. The effect of Na₂O and Al₂O₃ on the solubility of Ag₂O is expressed by interaction coefficients and is analyzed in terms of the basicity of melts. The solubility of Ag₂O in Na₂O–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃ melts increased with increased temperature. This phenomena was explained by a small enthalpy change in oxidation of silver.     

Direct observations of pseudo-binary NdBa2Cu3Ox–Ba3Cu10O13 phase diagram and NdBa2Cu3Ox crystallization under reduced oxygen atmosphere

The pseudo-binary NdBa₂Cu₃O_x–Ba₃Cu₁₀O₁₃ phase diagrams and the crystallization of NdBa₂Cu₃O_x have been in situ observed using high-temperature optical microscope under three different oxygen atmospheres namely 1%, 0.1% and 0.0097% oxygen in argon. It has been observed that the liquidus line becomes narrower both in composition and temperature with decreasing oxygen pressure. This result suggested that under reduced oxygen atmosphere, the NdBa₂Cu₃O_x crystals could only be grown from a peritectic melt consisting of Nd₄Ba₂Cu₂O₁₀ and liquid. The crystallization temperature of NdBa₂Cu₃O_x was found to decrease logarithmically with decreasing oxygen content in the atmosphere.     

Differential thermal analysis studies on the crystallization of strontium tungstate melts. Variation of rate constants with crystallization temperatures and cooling rates

Kinetics of strontium tungstate crystallization from sodium tungstate melts were studied in platinum crucibles (by DTA) by continuous cooling from initial crystallization temperatures T₀ = 800° to 1000° to below the eutectic temperature at cooling rates R_T = 0.67° to 3.3° min⁻¹. Heterogeneous nuclei first formed slowly onto metal platinate particles within the solution during induction periods (t ); the main crystal growth then started after the development of some exces solute concentration (ΔC ) at the induction temperature (T ). The actual growth after t was diffusion rate-controlled. The diffusion rate-constants (k_Dt) for growth after the induction periods along the major axis were estimated; the increased with T₀ and R_T. These values were higher than those for diffusion-controlled crystal growth of strontium tungstate from sodium tungstate melts in alumina crucibles but much smaller than the real diffusion rate-constants (k_Dl)_real.     

A hydrogen-bonded dichloromethane-perchlorate-water channel in the crystal structure ofcis-[Ru(bpy)2{PPh-(o-tolyl)2}Cl+][ClO4 −]·CH2Cl2·H2O

The complexcis-[Ru(bpy)₂{PPh(o-tolyl)₂}Cl⁺][ClO₄ ^–] crystallized from a solution in dichloromethane as the dichloromethane-water solvate. The structure was refined toR=4.5% for those 2433 reflections with |F _o|>6(|F _o|). The octahedral Ru(II) cation is associated with metal-ligand distances as follows: Ru–Cl=2.434(3)Å, Ru-PPh(o-tol)₂=2.382(2)Å, and Ru–N=2.037(7)–2.088(7)Å. The structure is stabilized by a hydrogen-bonded CH₂Cl₂...ClO₄ ^–...H₂O channel which incorporates adventitious water of crystallization.     

Ag diffusion in amorphous As50Se50 films studied by XPS

X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and depth profile analysis were used to investigate the X-ray-induced silver photodiffusion into an amorphous As₅₀Se₅₀ thin film. At the initial stages of irradiation an induction period was observed while core level spectra analysis revealed the existence of a mixed As–Se–Ag interlayer between the metal and the chalcogenide matrix. It was found that during the induction period this interlayer is enriched in silver and the existing As–Se–Ag intermediate species are transformed to Ag–Se–Ag that form the metal source for the effective silver photodiffusion. With further irradiation photodiffusion proceeds by the disruption of Ag–Se bonds and the recombination of As atoms with Se to stable As–Se units. Ultimately, silver concentration reaches a plateau when the diffusion stops. A separated Ag₂Se phase on the film’s surface is identified at this stage. Depth profile analysis shows that silver has been homogenously diffused into the chalcogenide matrix and the Ag₂Se phase exists only at the top surface layers probably in the form of quasi-crystalline clusters that prohibit further Ag diffusion.     

Self-diffusivity of iron in alkali–lime–alumosilicate glass melts

Self-diffusion coefficients of iron were measured in glass melts with the basic mol% composition of 16 R₂O, 10 CaO, x Al₂O₃ and (74 − x) SiO₂ with x=0, 5, 10, 15 and R=Li, Na, K and Cs in the temperature range of 900–1300°C using square-wave voltammetry. All diffusion coefficients had an Arrhenian dependence which depended on the type of alkali present and the Al₂O₃-concentration. Larger alkali cations, e.g. Cs⁺, as well as an increase in the Al₂O₃-content led to a decrease in the diffusion coefficients and also to an increase in viscosity. Within one glass composition, the Stokes–Einstein equation is fulfilled with respect to the dependence of the diffusivity upon viscosity. At constant viscosity, however, increasing size of the alkali cation and increasing Al₂O₃-content led to larger iron diffusion coefficients.     

Preparation and properties of porous glass using fly ash as a raw material

The porous glasses were prepared by a conventional phase separation method using coal fly ash as a raw material, and the properties of these porous glasses were investigated. The composition of coal fly ash is basically composed of SiO₂–Al₂O₃–Fe₂O₃–CaO system and the SiO₂–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃–CaO–Na₂O system of glass was chosen as base glass composition. The pore diameter increases proportional to cube root of heating time (t^1/3), however, the early stage of phase separation is not clear. It is estimated that the rate determining step may be the diffusion process of structural units involving oxygen ions and the phase separation may take place by the nucleation and growth mechanism, and the relatively larger pores of above 1 μm can be obtained easily. The chemical composition of porous glasses is SiO₂–B₂O₃–Al₂O₃(–CaO–Na₂O). A relatively large amount of fly ash (>40%) can be used successfully for the preparation of porous glass.