The non-detonative synthesis of cadmium selenide and other II-VI compounds from the elements

Abstract

The cause of detonations in the direct synthesis of CdSe and other II-VI compounds from the elements has been shown to be due to the formation of insoluble passivating layers around the reactants. These passivating layers do not rupture until temperatures high enough to achieve appreciable solubility of the desired compound in melts rich in the elemental constituents are attained. It is demonstrated that single stage, non-detonative low temperature synthesis of each of the compounds can be effected via use of reactant powders whose particle sizes apparently are less than twice the thickness of the passivating layer which tends to form, such that the reactants are completely consumed during the passivating layer formation. The method appears to be general for binary compounds which melt appreciably higher than either of the elemental constituents.