Glass transition behavior and crystallization kinetics of Cu0.3(SSe20)0.7 chalcogenide glass

The glass transition behavior and crystallization kinetics of Cu_0.3(SSe₂₀)_0.7 chalcogenide glass were investigated using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray diffraction (XRD). Two crystalline phases (SSe₂₀ and Cu₂Se) were identified after annealing the glass at 773 K for 24 h. The activation energy of the glass transition (E_g), the activation energy of crystallization (E_c), the Avrami exponent (n) and the dimensionality of growth (m) were determined. Results indicate that this glass crystallizes by a two-stage bulk crystallization process upon heating. The first transformation, in which SSe₂₀ precipitates from the amorphous matrix with a three-dimensional crystal growth. The second transformation, in which the residual amorphous phase transforms into Cu₂Se compound with a two-dimensional crystal growth.