X-ray characterisation of Zn1-xCoxS single crystals grown by chemical vapour transport

Single Zn1-xCoxS crystals with x up to about 0.285 were grown by the chemical vapour transport method using iodine as the transporting agent. The obtained single crystal grains were typically of up to 3-6 mm in size. The crystal quality was studied with the help of high-resolution diffractometry. The FWHM of rocking curves was of the order of 40". Lattice constants measured by both, the powder diffractometry and high-resolution diffractometry, are reported and compared with the literature data. The extrapolated lattice constant for hypothetical CoS compound of sphalerite-type structure is 5.343(1) Angstrom. The interatomic distances in Zn1-xCoxS and in related Fe and Mn containing sulphides are briefly discussed. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science S.A.