Thermal properties of SbxSe100-x glasses studied by modulated temperature differential scanning calorimetry

The compositional dependence of the thermal properties of SbxSe100-x melt q uenched glasses (0.01 < x < 25 at.%) has been studied. Modulated temperatur e differential scanning calorimetry technique has been applied to determine the thermal properties of Se-rich SbxSe100-x chalcogenide glasses in the g lass transition and crystallization regions. The reversing and non-reversin g heat flows through the glass transformations were measured during both he ating and cooling scans. T-g (glass transition), Delta H-g (relaxation enth alpy), C-p (specific heat capacity). Delta C-p (changs in C-p at T-g). Delt a H-c (crystallization enthalpy), T-p (peak crystallization rate temperatur e) and T-c (crystallization onset temperature) which determine the thermal events in the glass were calculated from the experimental curves. Some of t he structurally controlled parameters such as T-g, C-p, and T-c - T-g revea l local extrema when the Sb-Se glass system reaches 1 at.% Sb and 15 at.% S b approximate concentrations, where the glass forming ability was also maxi mal. We discuss the results in terms of possible dimensional structural cha nges,'size effect' and local stoichiometry. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.