IR laser co-pyrolysis of (CH3)2Te and (CH3)4Sn: Gas-phase formation and deposition of nanostructured SnTe

The first example on the gas phase synthesis of a metal chalcogenide through reactions between clusters of the metal and chalcogene is reported. Pulsed CO2 laser-induced and SF6-photosensitized homogeneous co-pyrolysis of gaseous (CH3)4Sn and (CH3)2Te results in chemical vapour deposition of nanostructured SnTe as proved by Raman and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and electron microscopy. The proposed mechanism of SnTe formation is explained by an intermediacy of Sn and Te clusters that are generated from pyrolysis of (CH3)4Sn and (CH3)2Te and that react in a hot reaction zone to SnTe.