Facile surfactant-thermal syntheses and characterization of quaternary copper thioantimonates(III) ACu2SbS3 (A = K, Rb, Cs)

Three new quaternary thioantimonates(III) ACu 2 SbS 3 (A = K, Rb, Cs) have been prepared through the surfactant-thermal method. X-ray single crystal diffraction analysis reveals that these three compounds are isostructural and feature a two-dimensional layered structure. Both experimental and theoretical studies confirm they are semiconductors with narrow band gaps. Our results clearly indicated that surfactants, as reaction media, could offer exciting opportunities for exploring novel multinary chalcogenides with diverse crystal structures and interesting physical properties.