Synthesis, characterization and thermal study of CoSb2 semiconductor by mechanical alloying

A nanocrystalline CoSb2 crystallizing in arsenopyrite structure was synthesized by mechanical alloying from elemental Co and Sb powders. The samples with different times were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized powder shows arsenopyrite structure completely after 30h of milling. The crystallite size is decreased with increasing milling time. At 60 h of milling, the sample shows a peritectic decomposition at 935.41 degrees C as the arsenopyrite structure transforms to marcasite structure. (C) 2008 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.