Thermal stability of CuCr1-xZrxSe2 with x ≤ 0.2

Abstract

Substitution solid solutions CuCr_1-xZr_xSe₂, x = 0–0.2 have been synthesized for the first time. The crystal structure and phase equilibria of these samples were studied in the temperature range of 100–700 °C. It was found that the delafossite-like crystal structure is stable in the whole temperature and concentration range studied. It was found that parasitic phases, binary copper and chromium selenides and spinels CuCr₂Se₄ and Cu(Cr_1-xZr_x)₂Se₄, are formed during the synthesis. Their appearance is because doping with zirconium does not affect the crystal structure. Instead, it affects the thermodynamic stability of the CuCr_1-xZr_xSe₂ solid solution with a delafossite-like structure.