Phase equilibria and some properties of solid solutions in the Tl5Te3-Tl9BiTe6-Tl5Te2Cl system

Phase equilibria in the Tl₅Te₃-Tl₉BiTe6-Tl₅Te₂Cl system were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction, and measurements of microhardness and also emf of concentration circuits with reference to a thallium electrode. A number of polythermal sections, the isothermal sections of the phase diagram at 760 and 800 K, and projections of the liquidus and solidus surfaces were constructed. It was shown that the system is characterized by the formation of unlimited solid solutions with the Tl₅Te₃ structure. The concentration dependences of the crystal lattice parameters, microhardness, and emf in the solid solutions were described.     

Interactions and glass formation in the TlAs2Se4-Tl3As2Se3Te3 system

The TlAs₂Se₄-Tl₃As₂Se₃Te₃ system was studied using differential thermal analysis (DTA), powder X-ray diffraction, microstructure observation, and microhardness and density measurements. A phase diagram of the title system was constructed. This system is a quasi-binary join of the TlSe-As₂Se₃-As₂Te₃ quasi-ternary system. All alloys of the system under standard conditions are prepared in the glassy form. The system has a eutectic, which contains 50 mol % Tl₃As₂Se₃Te₃ and melts at 150°C. The TlAs₂Se₄-base solid solution in the system extends to 12 mol % Tl₃As₂Se₃Te₃, and Tl₃As₂Se₃Te₃-based solid solution extends to 20 mol % TlAs₂Se₄.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl-TlBr-Te system and thermodynamic properties of the compound Tl5Te2Br

The Tl-TlBr-Te composition region of the Tl-Te-Br phase diagram has been explored by DTA, X-ray diffraction, microhardness measurements, and electromotive force (emf) measurements relative to a thallium electrode in concentrations cells. The phase diagrams along a number of joins, the isothermal section at 400 K of the phase diagram, and a projection of the liquidus surface have been constructed. Extensive phase-separation areas, including a three-liquid-phase field in the Tl-TlBr-Tl₂Te subsystem, have been revealed. The homogeneity ranges and primary crystallization fields of phases have been mapped, and the coordinates of nonvariant and univariant equilibria in the T-x-y diagram have been determined. The standard thermodynamic functions of formation of the Tl₅Te₂Br compound and its standard entropy have been derived from emf data.     

Phase equilibria in the Tl2Te-SnTe-Bi2Te3 system

phase equilibria in the Tl₂Te-SnTe-Bi₂Te₃ system were studied by differential thermal analysis (DTA), X-ray powder diffraction, and microhardness measurements. Some polythermal sections and isothermal (at 600 and 800 K) sections of the phase diagram and a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. It was shown that the system is characterized by the formation of solid solutions with the Tl₅Te₃ structure (δ) and solid solutions based on SnTe (γ₁), Tl₂Te (α), Bi₂Te₃ (β), and two TlBiTe₂ (γ₂ and γ′₂) phases. Their homogeneity regions were determined. The liquidus surface consists of the primary crystallization fields of the β-, γ₁-, γ′₂-, and δ phases and the compounds SnBi₂Te₄ and SnBi₄Te₇. The liquidus of the α phase is degenerate. The primary crystallization fields of phases were determined, and the types and coordinates of in- and monovariant equilibria were found.     

Phase equilibria in the Ag2Te-PbTe-Bi2Te3 system

Phase equilibria in the Ag₂Te-PbTe-Bi₂Te₃ quasi-ternary system were studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and measurements of microhardness and emf of concentration circuits with an Ag₄RbI₅ solid electrolyte. Some polythermal sections and isothermal (600 and 800 K) sections of the phase diagram, and also a projection of the liquidus surface were constructed. The primary crystallization fields of phases were determined, and the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria were found. The system is characterized by the formation of a wide continuous band of high-temperature solid solutions (γ phase) with a cubic structure along the PbTe-AgBiTe₂ section. With decreasing temperature (T ≤ 715 K), AgBiTe₂ and γ solid solutions, close in composition to this compound, experience solid-phase decomposition to form Bi₂Te₃, ternary tetradymite-like phases of the PbTe-Bi₂Te₃ boundary system, and the low-temperature phase of Ag₂Te.     

Tl2S-Sb2S3-Bi2S3 quasi-ternary system

The Tl₂S-Sb₂S₃-Bi₂S₃ quasi-ternary system (system A) was studied using DTA, X- ray powder diffraction, microstructure examination, and microhardness measurements. TlSbS₂-Tl₄Bi₂S₅(TlBiS₂, Bi₂S₃), Sb₂S₃-TlBiS₂, Tl₃SbS₃-TlBiS₂(Bi₂S₃), and [TlSb_0.5Bi_0.5S₂]-Tl₂S isopleths; isothermal sections at 500 K; and liquidus surface projection of system A were constructed. Characteristic features of the title system are extensive fields of solid solutions extended along the TlSbS₂-TlBiS₂ quasi-binary section and a continuous solubility belt 1–2 mol % wide extended along the Sb₂S₃-Bi₂S₃ binary subsystem. Primary separation fields of phases and the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria in system A were determined.     

Syntheses and structures of CsHo3Te5 and Cs3Tm11Te18 and the electronic structure of CsHo3Te5

Single crystals of CsHo₃Te₅ and Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ have been grown as byproducts in the synthesis of CsLnZnTe₃ (Ln=Ho or Tm) through the reaction of Ln, Zn, and Te with a CsCl flux at 850 °C. The crystal structures have been determined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. CsHo₃Te₅ crystallizes in space group Pnma of the orthorhombic system whereas Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ crystallizes in the space group C2/m of the monoclinic system. Each of the compounds adopts a three-dimensional structure; each possesses tunnels built from LnTe₆ octahedra that are filled with Cs atoms. The pseudo-rectangular tunnel in CsHo₃Te₅ is large enough in cross-section to accommodate two symmetrically equivalent Cs atoms. In the Cs₃Tm₁₁Te₁₈ structure there are two different sized tunnels: the smaller one is only large enough to host one Cs atom per unit cell whereas the larger one can accommodate two Cs atoms. The electronic structure of CsHo₃Te₅ was calculated. The band gap is estimated to be about 1.2 eV, consistent with the black color of the crystals.     

Solid-phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of the Tl2Se-As2Se3-Se system

The Tl₂Se-As₂Se₃-Se system in the equilibrium crystalline state was studied by differential thermal analysis, X-ray powder diffraction, and measurements of emf relative to a thallium electrode within the temperature range 300–400 K. An isothermal section of the phase diagram at 300 K was constructed. The formation of ternary compounds Tl₃AsSe₄, TlAsSe₂, and Tl₃AsSe₃ was confirmed, and the locations of their phase regions were determined. From the emf measurement data, the partial molar functions of thallium in alloys, the standard thermodynamic functions of formation, and the standard entropies of the above ternary compounds were calculated.     

Crystal structure, electronic structure and physical properties of the new low-valent thallium silicon telluride Tl6Si2Te6 in comparison to Tl6Ge2Te6

The title compounds were prepared from the elements in the stoichiometric ratio at 800 °C under exclusion of air. Tl₆Si₂Te₆ crystallizes in the space group P1¯, isostructural with Tl₆Ge₂Te₆, with , , , α=89.158(2)°, β=96.544(2)°, γ=100.685(2)°, (Z=2). Its structure is composed of dimeric [Si₂Te₆]⁶⁻ units with a Si-Si single bond, while the Tl atoms are irregularly coordinated by five to six Te atoms. Numerous weakly bonding Tl-Tl contacts exist. Both title compounds are black semiconductors with small band gaps, calculated to be 0.9 eV for Tl₆Si₂Te₆ and 0.5 eV for Tl₆Ge₂Te₆. The Seebeck coefficients are +65 μV K⁻¹ in case of Tl₆Si₂Te₆ and +150 μV K⁻¹ in case of Tl₆Ge₂Te₆ at 300 K, and the electrical conductivities are 5.5 and 3 Ω⁻¹ cm⁻¹, respectively.     

SnSbBiTe4-2Bi2Te3 join of the SnTe-Bi2Te3-Sb2Te3 quasi-ternary system

This is the first study of the SnSbBiTe₄-2Bi₂Te₃ join of the SnTe-Bi₂Te₃-Sb₂Te₃ quasi-ternary system by the methods of complex physicochemical analysis over a wide range of concentrations. A phase diagram was constructed for the title quasi-binary join. The system was found to be of the eutectic type; the eutectic coordinates are 65 mol % Bi₂Te₃ and 675 K. The starting components were shown to form solid solutions with extents of 20 mol %. Alloys with compositions lying within the Bi₂Te₃-based solid solution region were found to be n-type semiconductors.     

Physicochemical interactions in the GeSb2Te4-GeBi2Te4 system

The GeSb₂Te₄-GeBi₂Te₄ system has been studied for the first time using a complex of physicochemical methods, and its phase diagram has been constructed. When the component ratio in the GeSb₂Te₄-GeBi₂Te₄ system is 1: 1, a quaternary compound GeSbBiTe₄ is formed; it melts congruently at 850 K. A GeBi₂Te₄-based solid solution region has been discovered; its boundary at 300 K reaches 5 mol % GeSb₂Te₄. The compositions and melting temperatures of eutectics have been determined.     

Physicochemical study of SmTe-In2Te3 and SmTe-InTe systems

SmTe-In₂Te₃ and SmTe-InTe quasi-binary joins were studied using physicochemical methods. The SmTe-In₂Te₃ system forms two compounds, SmIn₂Te₄ and SmIn₄Te₇, which melt incongruently at 1075 and 960 K, respectively. An In₂Te₃-base solid solution at 400 K extends to 3 mol % SmTe. The SmTe-InTe system at the component ratio 3: 2 (mol/mol) forms the ternary compound Sm₃In₂Te₅, which melts with decomposition at 970 K. The InTe-based solubility range is 10 mol % SmTe.     

Reciprocal system 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>S + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se<Subscript>3</Subscript> ⇆ 3Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Se + Sb<Subscript>2</Subscript>S<Subscript>3</Subscript>

Phase equilibria in the reciprocal system 3Tl₂S + Sb₂Se₃ ? 3Tl₂Se + Sb₂S₃ are investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, and emf measurements. Some polythermal sections, the isothermal section of the phase diagram at 400K, and the liquidus-surface projection for this system are constructed. The types and coordinates of invariant and univariant equilibria are determined. It is shown that the system is non-diagonal. Broad regions of solid solutions are found on the basis of the binary compounds Tl₂S and Tl₂Se and along the boundary system Sb₂S₃-Sb₂Se₃ and the sections Tl₃SbS₃-Tl₃SbSe₃, TlSbS₂-TlSbSe₂, and TlSb₃S₅-TlSb₃Se₅ of the phase diagram.     

Phase equilibria and thermodynamic properties of the system Tl-TlBr-Se

The system Tl-Se-Br was studied in the region Tl-TlBr-Se by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, emf measurements, and microhardness measurements. Several vertical sections, the isothermal section at 400 K, and the liquidus-surface projection were constructed. The quasi-binary sections TlBr-Tl₂Se, TlBr-TlSe, Tl₅Se₂Br-Tl, and Tl₅Se₂Br-TlSe allow the system Tl-TlBr-Se to be triangulated into five subordinate triangles. Wide immiscibility regions were discovered in the system, including a three-phase region in subsystem Tl₂Br-Tl₂Se-Se. Homogeneity and primary separation regions were determined, as well as the types and coordinates of invariant and monovariant equilibria on the T-x-y-diagram. From the results of emf measurements, the standard thermodynamic functions of formation were calculated for the compound Tl₅Se₂Br.     

Synthesis, crystal structures and luminescence properties of the Eu-doped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y2Te4O11 and Y2Te5O13

Y₂Te₄O₁₁:Eu³⁺ and Y₂Te₅O₁₃:Eu³⁺ single crystals in sub-millimeter scale were synthesized from the binary oxides (Y₂O₃, Eu₂O₃ and TeO₂) using CsCl as fluxing agent. Crystallographic structures of the undoped yttrium oxotellurates(IV) Y₂Te₄O₁₁ and Y₂Te₅O₁₃ have been determined and refined from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data. In Y₂Te₄O₁₁, a layered structure is present where the reticulated sheets consisting of edge-sharing [YO₈]¹³⁻ polyhedra are interconnected by the oxotellurate(IV) units, whereas in Y₂Te₅O₁₃ only double chains of condensed yttrium-oxygen polyhedra with coordination numbers of 7 and 8 are left, now linked in two crystallographic directions by the oxotellurate(IV) entities. The Eu³⁺ luminescence spectra and the decay time from different energy levels of the doped compounds were investigated and all detected emission levels were identified. Luminescence properties of the Eu³⁺ cations have been interpreted in consideration of the now accessible detailed crystallographic data of the yttrium compounds, providing the possibility to examine the influence of the local symmetry of the oxygen coordination spheres.     

The crystal structure of hexathallium(I) hexatellurodigermanate(III), Tl6[Ge2Te6]

The new compound Tl₆[Ge₂Te₆] was prepared by thermal synthesis from the elements. The material is triclinic, space group $\text{P}\text{1}$, with a = 9.471(2), b = 9.714(2), c = 10.389(2) Å, α = 89.39(1), β = 97.27(1), γ = 100.79(1)°, and Z = 2. The crystal structure was determined from single-crystal intensity data measured by means of an automated four-circle diffractometer and refined to an R value of 0.053 for 1831 observed reflections. Tl₆[Ge₂Te₆] is characterized by Ge₂Te₆ units with GeGe bonds which are linked into a three-dimensional structure by Tl atoms coordinated to essentially six Te atoms. The most important mean distances are $\text{d}\text{GeGe}\text{) = 2.456}$ Å, $\text{d}\text{(}\text{GeTe}\text{) = 2.573}$ Å, and $\text{d}\text{(}\text{TlTe}\text{) = 3.515}$Å. The lone 6s electron pairs of the thallium(I) atoms exhibit significant stereochemical activity. Tl₆[Ge₂Te₆] represents a new structure type.     

Phase equilibria in systems based on Tl4SnSe3 and Tl4SnSe4 ternary compounds

Phase equilibria in the Tl₄SnSe₃-Tl (I), Tl₄SnSe₃-Sn (II), Tl₄SnSe₄-SnSe (III), Tl₄SnSe{ia4}-TlSe (IV), and Tl₄SnSe₃-Tl₄SnSe₄ (V) systems have been studied by differential thermal analysis and power X-ray diffraction. Systems I–V have been found to have eutectic interactions. In systems I and II, width regions of solid solutions based on the ternary compound Tl₄SnSe₃ are formed.     

Syntheses and Structures of the Quaternary Copper Tellurides K3Ln4Cu5Te10 (Ln=Sm, Gd, Er), Rb3Ln4Cu5Te10 (Ln=Nd, Gd), and Cs3Gd4Cu5Te10

Six quaternary alkali-metal rare-earth copper tellurides K₃Ln₄Cu₅Te₁₀ (Ln=Sm, Gd, Er), Rb₃Ln₄Cu₅Te₁₀ (Ln=Nd, Gd), and Cs₃Gd₄Cu₅Te₁₀ have been synthesized at 1123 K with the use of reactive fluxes of alkali-metal halides ACl (A=K, Rb, Cs). All crystallographic data were collected at 153 K. These compounds crystallize in space group Pnnm of the orthorhombic system with two formula units in cells of dimensions (A₃Ln₄, a, b, c (Å)): K₃Sm₄, 16.590(2), 17.877(2), 4.3516(5); K₃Gd₄, 16.552(4), 17.767(4), 4.3294(9); K₃Er₄, 16.460(4), 17.550(4), 4.2926(9); Rb₃Nd₄, 17.356(1), 17.820(1), 4.3811(3); Rb₃Gd₄, 17.201(2), 17.586(2), 4.3429(6); Cs₃Gd₄, 17.512(1), 17.764(1), 4.3697(3). The corresponding R₁ indices for the refined structures are 0.0346, 0.0315, 0.0212, 0.0268, 0.0289, and 0.0411. The three K₃Ln₄Cu₅Te₁₀ structures belong to one structure type and the Rb₃Ln₄Cu₅Te₁₀ (Ln=Nd, Gd) and Cs₃Gd₄Cu₅Te₁₀ structures belong to another one, the difference being the location of one of the three unique Cu atoms. Both structure types are three-dimensional tunnel structures that contain similar Ln/Te fragments built from LnTe₆ octahedra and CuTe₄ tetrahedra. The CuTe₄ tetrahedra form ¹_∞[CuTe⁵⁻₃] and ¹_∞[CuTe³⁻₂] chains. The alkali-metal atoms, which are in the tunnels, are coordinated to seven or eight Te atoms.     

Phase Diagram of the System Tl<Subscript>2</Subscript>Te–Tl<Subscript>5</Subscript>Te<Subscript>3</Subscript>–Tl<Subscript>9</Subscript>GdTe<Subscript>6</Subscript>

The ternary system Tl–Gd–Te within the composition range Tl₂Te–T_l5Te₃–T_l9GdTe₆ was studied by a set of physicochemical analysis methods. Some internal polythermal sections and the isothermal section at 300 K of the phase diagram were built, projections of the liquidus and solidus surfaces were constructed, and the graphs of the concentration dependences of the parameters and microhardness were plotted. It was shown that much (more than 90%) of the area of the concentration triangle is occupied by the homogeneity region of solid solutions with the Tl₅Te₃ structure (δ-phase). Solid solutions based on Tl₂Te (α-phase) form within a narrow region. The regions of the α- and δ-phases are separated by two-phase region α + δ.     

Bi2Te3-Te nanocomposite formed by epitaxial growth of Bi2Te3 sheets on Te rod

Single-crystal Bi₂Te₃-Te nanocomposites with heterostructure were synthesized using a two-step solvothermal process in the presence of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt. The first step is the formation of the Te nanorods and the second step is to grow the Bi₂Te₃ sheets off the Te rods surface to form the Bi₂Te₃-Te nanocomposites. The products were characterized by X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy. We demonstrate a method of an epitaxial growth of Bi₂Te₃ nanosheets perpendicular to the axis of the central Te rod and a formation process of Bi₂Te₃-Te nanocomposites is also proposed.