Hot pressing sintered CuxMo6S8 targets for laser ablation thin films deposition

Sintering conditions of Cu4Mo6S8 pellets, 20 mm in diameter and about 4 mm thick have been determined. The expulsion of copper out of the pellet for an annealing temperature of 1100° C has been observed, in agreement with the evolution of the phase diagram when the temperature increases. The appearance of Cu2S cristallites on the surface of the films deposited from highly densified targets associated with a high excess of copper and sulfur can be correlated with the behavior observed on the pellets. In fact the increase of the temperature of the target under the laser beam impact is likely responsible for a copper migration on its surface, which leads to the observed composition of the film.