Solid state phase equilibria in the Te-rich region of the RE (RE = Ce, Nd and Pr)–Sn–Te ternary systems

Phase relations in the Te-rich region (Te ≥ 50 at.%) of the light RE (RE = Ce, Nd and Pr)–Sn–Te systems at room temperature have been investigated by means of X-ray powder diffraction (XRD) and differential thermal analysis (DTA). The results indicate that the binary intermetallic phases of RETe3, RE3Te4, RETe and SnTe are found in the Te-rich region (Te ≥ 50 at.%) of the RE (RE = Ce, Nd and Pr)–Sn–Te systems at room temperature. The binary compounds RE4Te7 and RE2Te5 have only been observed in the Nd–Sn–Te and Pr–Sn–Te systems. No ternary compound is observed. The maximum solid solubility of the light rare earth elements, i.e. Ce, Nd and Pr in SnTe are determined to be about 3 at.%, 3.5 at.% and 2.5 at.%, respectively.