Silver sulfide as strong catalyst of crystal growth in the chemical transport method

Abstract

This study demonstrates the catalytic activity of Ag2S in the formation of single crystals. CdS crystals are grown using the chemical transport method with iodine as transporting agent. The gradient temperature is also varied. Then the same syntheses are repeated with the addition of Ag2S in the catalytic amount which leads to the formation of much bigger single crystals of CdS. Obtained products are characterized with PXRD, SEM, EDX, and ICP-MS investigations. It is confirmed that Ag2S is not present in formed crystals, also SEM images show their compositional homogeneity. We conclude that Ag2S acts as strong catalyst of crystal growth.