Phase diagrams of sections in the EuS-Cu2S-Nd2S3 system

Phase equilibria in the EuS-Cu₂S-Nd₂S₃ system were studied in an isothermal (970 K) section and NdCuS₂-EuS and Cu₂S-EuNdCuS₃ polythermal sections. The complex sulfide EuNdCuS₃ has an orthorhombic crystal lattice (space group Pnma; a = 1.10438(2) nm, b = 0.40660(1) nm, c = 1.14149(4) nm), is isostructural to BaLaCuS₃, and melts incongruently at 1470 K: EuNdCuS₃ (0.50 EuS; 0.50 NdCuS₂) ai 0.18 EuS ss (0.88 EuS; 0.12 NdCuS₂) + 0.82 L (0.415 EuS; 0.585 NdCuS₂); ΔH = 17.8 kJ/mol. Within the range 0.5 mol % EuS, EuNdCuS₃-based solid solutions were not found. At 970 K, the tie lines pass from the compound EuNdCuS₃ to Cu₂S, EuS, NdCuS₂, and EuNd₂S₄ phases and lie between the NdCuS₂ phase and solid solutions (ss) of γ-Nd₂S₃ with EuNd₂S₄. Eutectics are formed between the compounds NdCuS₂ and EuNdCuS₃ at 32.0 mol % EuS T = 1318 K and between the compounds Cu₂S and EuNdCuS₃ at 20.5 mol % EuNdCuS₃ and T = 1142 K. Five main subordinate triangles were identified in the system.