Particle size influence on crystallization behavior of Ge2Sb2Se5 glass

Differential scanning calorimetry was used to study crystallization in the Ge2Sb2Se5 glass under non-isothermal conditions. The crystallization kinetics was described in terms of autocatalytic Sestak-Berggren model. An extensive discussion of all aspects of a full-scale kinetic study for a crystallization process was performed. Number of suggestions regarding the experimental part and importance of the particle size influence study was introduced in order to maximize precision, reproducibility and predicative potential of the experimental data. Complexity of the crystallization process was identified to be represented by closely overlapping consecutive competing surface and bulk mechanisms. Mutual interactions of both mechanisms as well as all other observed effects were discussed in relation to the ability of nowadays theoretical models to accurately and correctly describe the experimental data. Advanced error analysis was performed for each step of the kinetic study. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.