Predicted reaction paths for the formation of multinary chalcopyrite compounds

We apply the concept of epitaxy, which has been proven to be essential for the formation of CuInSe2 and CuGaSe2 out of binary selenide compounds to multinary compounds. We show that the formation of quaternary chalcopyrites is possible starting either with binary or with mixed crystal chalcogenide compounds. The complete sets of chemical solid-state reactions equations are given. The solid-state reactions are expected to proceed faster, if only one sublattice needs to be rearranged. It shows out, that ternary and quaternary chalcopyrite compounds can be synthesised by fast reaction mechanisms directly from chalcogenide compounds. The fastest way to obtain chalcopyrites containing more than four elements is a stepwise process. (c) 2006 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.