Solid solution formation in the systems CuMIIIX2-AgMIIIX2 where MIII=Al,Ga, In and X2=S,Se

A study of solid solution formation in the systems CuAlX₂-AgAlX₂, CuGaX₂-AgGaX₂ and CuInX₂-AgInX₂, where X=S, Se, has shown that when M^III=Al and Ga, CuM^IIIX₂ and AgM^IIIX₂ were not completely miscible. The CuInX₂-AgInX₂ system, however, showed complete solid solubility. The limits of solid solubility are explained in terms of the c/a ratio, and the internal atomic coordinate u. The lattice constant a is a linear function of composition, while c bows upwards. This behavior is also discussed in terms of trends in 2-c/a.