Hexagonal (superlattice) form of Ga₂Te₃

Abstract

Gallium telluride (Ga₂Te₃) was synthesized at different temperatures (850 to 460° C) using different cooling rates. Materials synthesized at higher temperatures (including quenched materials from the melt) always yielded zinc-blende lattice with well resolvedα ₁ α ₂ doublet X-ray powder diffraction lines. In the material synthesized at lower temperature (∼ 460°C), we obtained additional (superlattice) lines as reported by Newman and Cundall [4]. It was possible to index these reflections not only on an orthorhombic unit cell (a=0.417, b=2.360, c=1.252 nm) but also on cubic (a=1.7678 nm) and hexagonal (a=0.832, c=3.065 nm) unit cells. To us, the hexagonal cell appears to be more realistic. If sufficient time is given to reach equilibrium, the whole of the zinc-blende form of Ga₂Te₃ is transformed to the hexagonal form. It has been further observed that conversion of the hexagonal into the cubic form and vice versa can be brought about by heating the material at temperatures greater or less than 460° C, respectively. Lastly, the zinc-blende phase of Ga₂Te₃ is metastable and slowly transforms to hexagonal form at room temperature.