Synthesis and X-Ray Studies of Cu2ZnGe1 –xSixSe4 Solid Solutions

Abstract

The quaternary compounds Cu₂ZnGeSe₄, Cu₂ZnSiSe₄ and their solid solutions are synthesized from the elementary components Cu, Zn, Ge, Si, and Se by the single-temperature synthesis method. The unit-cell parameters of the synthesized compounds and Cu₂ZnGe_{1 –x}Si_xSe₄ solid solutions are determined at room temperature by X-ray diffraction (XRD). It is shown that the unit-cell parameters a, b, and c decrease as x increases. It is found that two series of solid solutions are formed in the Cu₂ZnGe_{1– x}Si_xSe₄ system: one is based on the Cu₂ZnGeSe₄ compound and the other is based on Cu₂ZnSiSe₄.