The Thermal Expansion of AgxPb1 – xS Limited Semiconductor Solid Solutions

Abstract

One-phase powders of Ag_xPb_1 – xS cubic solid solutions with a maximum relative silver content to x = 0.12 were synthesized via the chemical codeposition from lead acetate and silver nitrate aqueous solutions in the presence of sulphidizer, as well as complexing and stabilizing agents. The thermal expansion of produced semiconductor solid solutions was first measured via the dilatometry in a temperature range of 295–580 K. As shown, substituting silver atoms for lead in Ag_xPb_1 – xS results in a slight decrease in thermal expansion value, because of alterations in unharmonism of atomic vibrations.