Pure phase synthesis of Cu(3)PS(4) and Cu(6)PS(5)Cl for semiconductor applications

We have achieved the first reported pure phase synthesis of two new nanoparticle materials, Cu(3)PS(4) and Cu(6)PS(5)Cl. We have achieved this through learning about the potential reaction pathways that CuCl(2), P(2)S(5), and 1-dodecanethiol can take. This study has shown that the key variable to control is the state of the phosphorus source when the CuCl(2) is added. If P(2)S(5) is added together with the CuCl(2) to dodecanethiol then the reaction will follow a path to Cu(3)PS(4), but if it is dissolved in dodecanethiol prior to the addition to CuCl(2) then the reaction will produce Cu(6)PS(5)Cl. The formation of these two different phases can occur simultaneously, yet we have found sets of conditions that manipulate the reaction system to form each phase exclusively. These nanoparticles could have broad semiconductor or solid electrolyte applications.