CENTENNIAL HONORS COLLEGE
Western Illinois University
Undergraduate Research Day 2016
PosterPresentation
SynthesisofIron-Copper-ChalcogenidoStannates
MatteaScanlan
FacultyMentor:BrianBellott
Chemistry
Solidstatechemistryhasimportantapplicationsintechnology.Itisusedinthecreationofnewmaterials
with unique structures and electrochemical properties that offer the potential for better energy
conversionandmemorydevices.Onetypeofsolidstatesynthesisisthatofchalcogenides,whicharenot
as well studied as other inorganic materials. In this chalcogenide synthesis, a reaction mixture of iron
powder, copper powder, tin powder, and selenium were combined in discrete stoichiometric ratios in
glass tubes coated with carbon. The sample was then sealed under vacuum and heated using a
computercontrolledfurnacefromroomtemperatureto750ºCoverthecourseof2days.Thesample
wasleftat750ºCfor10daysandthenslowcooledfrom750ºCto550ºCatarateof10ºCperhour,
heldat550ºCfor24hours,andfinallycooledtoroomtemperature.Theresultingreactionmixturewas
examinedunderamicroscopetorevealsinglecrystals.Thecrystalswerehandselectedandplacedona
SEM stub. Using SEM-EDS, the qualitative ratios of the elements were determined. A poster will be
presenteddiscussingthisprocessandtheresultsobtainedfromtheSEM-EDSstudiesofthecrystals.