Synthesis and characterization of ternary chalcogenides Ag₈SnE₆ (E = S, Se)

Nanocrystalline Ag₈SnS₆ and Ag₈SnSe₆ were directly synthesized by the reaction of AgNO₃, SnCl₂·2H₂O, and sulfur/selenium in a solvothermal process and 100°C for 10 h, respectively. X-ray powder diffraction patterns, X-ray photoelectron spectra, and transmission eletron microscope images show that the products are the Ag₈SnS₆ and Ag₈SnSe₆ phases which are well crystallized with the average size of about 20 and 25 nm, respectively. The possible mechanism for the formation of the nanocrystals in the solvothermal process was proposed. The solvent ethylenediamine played an important role in the growth of nanocrystals. (C) 2000 Academic Press.