Phase relations and properties of alloys in the SnSe-DySe system

Phase relations in the SnSe-DySe system have been studied using differential thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, microstructural analysis, microhardness tests, and density measurements, and its T-x phase diagram has been mapped out. The SnSe-DySe system contains a new ternary compound with the composition DySnSe2, which crystallizes in orthorhombic symmetry with unit-cell parameters a = 5.74 ± 0.02 A, b = 10.49 ± 0.03 A, and c = 11.66 ± 0.05 A (Z = 7, V = 702 A3, measured density ρmeas = 7.02 g/cm3, X-ray density ρx = 7.26 g/cm3). In addition, the system contains SnSe-based solid solutions, Sn1 − x Dy x Se (up to 4 mol % DySe). Their electrical conductivity and thermoelectric power have been measured as functions of temperature.