Crystallization dynamics of Se80In5Te15-xSnx chalcogenide glasses: Model-Fitted and model-free analysis for phase-change memory applications

This study investigates the crystallization behavior of Se₈₀In₅Te_15-xSn_x chalcogenide glasses using both model-fitting and model-free analytical techniques. The glasses were synthesized via the melt-quenching method, and elemental mapping confirmed their chemical homogeneity. X-ray diffraction confirmed the amorphous nature of the samples. Non-isothermal differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to analyze the crystallization kinetics. Activation energy for structural relaxation (ΔEt) was determined using Kissinger and Moynihan approaches, while model-free methods—including Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS), Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO), and Tang-Starink (TS)—were used to calculate the temperature- and conversion-dependent crystallization activation energy (ΔEc). Results indicated that substituting Te with Sn significantly influences ΔEc, suggesting modifications in the energy barrier for phase transitions. The consistency of results across various methods confirms their reliability for thermal analysis. Overall, this research highlights the role of Sn in modulating crystallization behavior and enhances the understanding of Se-based glasses for potential use in phase-change memory applications.