Thermal decomposition study of GeSI2 and Ge2S3I2 glassy alloys

Abstract GeSI2 and Ge2S3I2 glasses are prepared by interaction of germanium(IV) iodide, germanium and sulfur in evacuated silica-glass ampoules at temperatures of 450 °C and 550 °C, respectively. Germanium(IV) sulfide and germanium(IV) iodide are determined by means of X-ray diffraction analysis and energy-dispersive X-ray microanalysis as the main products of their decomposition. The kinetics of decomposition of these glasses under polythermal conditions is investigated in the temperature range of 50–850 °C by means of thermogravimetric analysis and differential scanning calorimetry. The values of the activation energy of alloy decomposition, corresponding to the most intense period of acceleration, are 72.8 ± 1.0 kJ/mol for GeSI2 and 192 ± 29 kJ/mol for Ge2S3I2.