Thin films of supersaturated substitutional solid solutions Cu x(I)Pb 1− xS 1− δ : chemical deposition, crystal structure and chemical sensor application

Abstract

Thin films of supersaturated Cu x (I)Pb 1− x S 1− δ solid solutions (0.038< x≤0.083) having the B1 (NaCl) cubic structure have been produced for the first time by hydrochemical co-deposition of lead and copper sulfides from a citrate–ammonia reaction mixture at a temperature from 333 to 353 K. Regular features of formation of Cu x (I)Pb 1− x S 1− δ solid solutions depending on the composition of the reaction mixture have been established. The methods of X-ray and neutron diffraction, electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy were used to examine the crystal structure, the phase composition, and the morphology of lead (II) and copper (I) sulfide films and films of solid solutions. It is shown that copper is present in the Cu x (I)Pb 1− x S 1− δ solid solution as a monovalent ion. Photosensitivity and sensor properties of films of Cu x (I)Pb 1− x S 1− δ solid solutions have been analyzed.