Quasi-ternary system Tl2Se-AgTlSe-TlBiSe2

The quasi-ternary system Tl₂Se-AgTlSe-TlBiSe (A) has been investigated by DTA, X-ray powder diffraction, microstructural analysis, and microhardness measurements. Polythermal sections AgTlSe-TlBiSe₂, AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆, [Ag_0.5Tl_1.5Se]-TlBiSe₂, Tl₂Se-AgBiSe₂ (0–50 mol % AgBiSe₂), an isothermal section at 500 K, and the projection of the liquidus surface of system A have been constructed. It has been shown that the quasi-binary join AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆ divides system A into two subordinate triangles, namely, Tl₂Se-Tl₉BiSe₆-AgTlSe (B) and AgTlSe-Tl₉BiSe₆-TlBiSe₂ (C). The phase diagram of subsystem B involves a univariant eutectic equilibrium while subsystem C involves an invariant eutectic equilibrium. The ternary eutectic has the coordinates 650 K, 10 mol % TlBiSe₂, and 61 mol % AgTlSe. A continuous series of solid solutions (0–12 mol % AgTlSe) has been found along the Tl₂Se-Tl₉BiSe₆ bordering system. The homogeneity region of TlBiSe₂ extends to 5 mol %.