Preparation and characterization of the quaternary chalcogenides Cu2B(II)C(IV)X4 [B(II) = Zn, Cd; C(IV) = Si, Ge; X = S, Se]

Abstract A number of quaternary chalcogenides crystallizing with the wurtz-stannite structure have been prepared by chemical vapor transport and characterized. Cu 2 ZnGeS 4 and Cu 2 ZnSiSe 4 transmit in the infrared beyond 12 microns. Cu 2 ZnGeS 4 was stable in air up to 620°C and also was the hardest of all the materials studied.