Synthesis of copper, silver, and samarium chalcogenides by mechanical alloying

CuInX2 (X = S, Se, Te), Ag2S, Ag2Se, Ag3Te2, Ag1.9Te, AgCuSe, Sm3Se4, Sm2Se3, and SmTe were synthesized by a mechanical alloying method, using a high-energy planetary ball mill. The compounds were obtained by milling mixtures of the elements with desired ratios in agate or Cu-Be vials for 60–180 min.