Effect of CNT on thermal properties and temperature dependent electrical properties of Cu-Se-Ge-In chalcogenide glasses

Abstract

Carbon nanotube (CNT) added chalcogenide glassy alloy [(Cu5Se75Ge10In10)100-x(CNT)x] (x = 0, 1 and 2) were prepared by melt quench technique. The aim of the present work is to study the effect of 1% and 2% addition of CNT on Cu5Se75Ge10In10 chalcogenide glass with reference to thermal and electrical properties. SEM confirms the presence of CNT in the alloy. Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) mechanism under non-isothermal condition has been used to observe the phase change transformation of pure and CNT added chalcogenide glassy alloy. Glass forming ability and thermal stability have also been discussed with increasing CNT concentration. The electrical measurements have been carried out using complex impedance spectroscopy, over a wide frequency range (1 Hz–106 Hz) and temperature starting from room temperature up to 374 K. Detailed study of impedance spectra of the studied samples involving the equivalent electrical circuit having resistor and capacitor shows the behavior of negative temperature coefficient of resistance (NTCR) in similar with semiconductor. It also confirms the non-debye type temperature dependent relaxation phenomenon.