Preparation of Cu2-xTe and HgTe by Using Microwave Heating

A new method for the preparation of nanophased tellurides is described. It employs microwave heating for the synthesis of Cu2-xTe and HgTe. The copper telluride prepared by this method was a complex of Cu2-xTe and ethylenediamine, which decomposes into pure Cu2-xTe following annealing at 280°C. A mechanism for the microwave-assisted formation of the tellurides is proposed.