Reactions of HgTe with Cu and Ag

The authors have examined the reactions of mercury telluride with copper and silver. Thermodynamic calculations show that equilibria in the HgTe + 2Cu(Ag) /r reversible/ Cu/sub 2/Te(Ag/sub 2/Te) + Hg systems are shifted to the right; they have examined the Cu/sub 2/Te and Ag/sub 2/Te formed in this way. Differential thermal analysis, x-ray diffraction, and microstructural analysis have been applied to these reactions.