Phase equilibria in the CU2S-ZnS-SnS2 system

The phase equilibria of the quasi-ternary system CuS-ZnS-SnS2 were investigated using differential thermal, X-ray phase and microstructure analysis methods. The liquidus surface projection and an isothermal section at 670 K were constructed. The existence of the quaternary compound Cu2ZnSnS8 was confirmed and the formation of another quaternary compound Cu2ZnSn3S8 was discovered in the system. Both compounds are analogous to the natural minerals stannine Cu2FeSnS4 and rhodostannine Cu2FeSn3S8; they crystallize in a tetragonal structure with lattice parameters a = 0.543 nm, c = 1.085 nm and a = 0.5435(1) nm, c = 1.0825(6) nm, respectively. The types of mono- and invariant reactions in the system and their coordinations were established. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.