Microstructural study of phase separation in (GeS3)(100-x)Ag-x and (GeS2)(100-x)Ag-x chalcogenide glasses

Microstructure of (GeS3)(100-x)Ag-x (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25) and (GeS2)(100-x)Ag-x (x = 0, 5, 10, 15, 20) has been studied by scanning electron microscopy. It is found that the glasses of both systems are phase separated: (GeS3)(100-x)Ag-x for 5 <= x <= 20 at.% and (GeS2)(100-x)Ag-x for 10 <= x <= 15 at.%. Morphology of coexisting phases is essentially dependent on the glass composition. The phase-separation is very pronounced in (GeS3)(100)Ag--x(x) glasses and is diminished in (GeS2)(100-x)Ag-x as indicated by the size and spatial distribution of majority and minority phases. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.