Thermodynamic investigations of chalcogenide glasses from the GeSe2-Sb2Te3-CdTe system

Glassy samples from the GeSe2-Sb2Te3-CdTe system are synthesized. The thermal characteristics (glass-transition T-g, crystallization T-cr and melting T-m temperatures) are determined using differential thermal analysis. On the base of the values of these temperatures the glass forming ability of the glasses is determined by the Hruby's criterion. The main thermodynamic parameters (enthalpy Delta H and entropy Delta S alternation) of the crystallization are calculated. The values of the Delta H and Delta S vary within 21.196 - 98.625 kJ/mol and 33.91 - 170.93 J/(mol.K), respectively. The influence of the composition on the investigated characteristics is analysed.