A fast synthesis for Zintl phase compounds of Na3SbTe3, NaSbTe2 and K3SbTe3 by microwave irradiation

The microwave irradiation technique was used to prepare three Zintl phase compounds Na₃SbTe₃, NaSbTe₂ and K₃SbTe₃. The as-prepared products were analyzed and characterized by XRD, EDX and SEM techniques. Higher microwave oven power and shorter irradiation time are required for the synthesis of Na₃SbTe₃, whereas lower oven power and longer irradiation time are needed for NaSbTe₂. Moderate microwave irradiation conditions facilitate the formation of pure K₃SbTe₃. Pure phase of Na₃SbTe₃ are directly obtained by this technique for the first time. Compared with the traditional high-temperature solid-state synthesis, the microwave reaction required a considerable shortened reaction time for the preparation of the three Zintl compounds. The initial driving force for these reactions originates from the interaction of microwave electric field with alkali metals (Na and K) and Sb powders.