Solvothermal synthesis route to ternary chalcogenides Cu(Ag)–Pd–S

A mild route to ternary chalcogenidometalates Cu3Pd13S7 and Ag5Pd10S5 nanocrystals is proposed in this paper. Both compounds can be directly synthesized from the reaction of PdCl2, sulfur and CuCl2 or AgNO3 through solvothermal processes in diethylamine or ethylenediamine (en) at 140–160°C for 10 h. The final products have been characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns, transmission electron microscope (TEM) images, and X-ray photoelectron spectra (XPS). The formation mechanism of the nanocrystalline ternary chalcogenidometalates in the solvothermal process is also investigated.