Systematic Study of the Effects of Incorporation of Carbon Nanotubes into Ge_xSe_1-x Glass System*

We have successfully synthesized Ge_xSe_1-x(x = 0.225) glass samples and have doped commercially produced (US ReasearchNanomaterials, Inc.) carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and commercial carbon (Sigma Aldrich) into them. We have investigated the glass transition temperature (T_g) using Modulated Differential Scanning Calorimetry (MDSC). This glass without the CNTs has a T_g of 213(°C). We found that the T_g lowers when 5% CNTs by mass is added as compared to the base Ge_xSe_1-x glass. Additionally, we find the presence of a crystalline phase developing (T_x approx. 300°) in the first heating scan of the glass sample. In the second heating scan both T_g and T_x disappear and finally, a melting of the material (T_m) occurs at T_m approx. 210°C in the third heating. The pure carbon in the Ge_xSe_1-x produced different results (no crystalline phase) than the CNT, but more work needs to be done for conclusive results. The decrease in T_g with 5% CNT indicates the occurrence of an intermediate phase (stress-free glass systems) at lower temperature, which could be potentially useful in material science applications.