Investigating Reaction Kinetics of Crystallization Mechanism in Se78-xTe20Sn2Inx (x = 0, 2, 4, 6) Chalcogenide Glasses (ChGs): Insights into Compositional Effects

This study investigates the crystallization kinetics of Se_78−xTe₂₀Sn₂In_x (x = 0, 2, 4, 6) chalcogenide glasses (ChGs) under non-isothermal conditions to evaluate the effects of indium incorporation. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed at 5–20 K/min heating rates. Kinetic parameters were extracted using iso-conversional methods, including Kissinger–Akahira–Sunose (KAS) and Vyazovkin–Horner–Rogers (VHR) approaches. Results revealed that In doping significantly alters thermal stability and crystallization dynamics. STSI-1 (x = 2) exhibited the highest initial activation energy (230.0 kJ/mol), which decreased by 48.29%, indicating a marked reduction in crystallization resistance. In contrast, the undoped sample (STS) showed only a 20.3% drop. The Avrami index (n) and enthalpy of crystallization (ΔH) were also highest in STSI-1, suggesting altered nucleation-growth mechanisms and higher energy demand. In-doped samples showed lower crystallization temperatures (T_c), implying enhanced crystallization efficiency. A correlation between ln K₀ and E_a supported the Meyer-Neldel rule (MNR) and iso-kinetic relationship (IKR), confirming consistent kinetic behavior. These findings highlight the critical role of composition in tuning the crystallization behavior of STSI glasses for potential phase-change and thermal management applications.