Synthesis, characterization and thermal study of CoSb2 semiconductor by mechanical alloying

A nanocrystalline CoSb2 crystallizing in arsenopyrite structure was synthesized by mechanical alloying from elemental Co and Sb powders. The samples with different times were characterized by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The synthesized powder shows arsenopyrite structure completely after 30 h of milling. The crystallite size is decreased with increasing milling time. At 60 h of milling, the sample shows a peritectic decomposition at 935.41 deg C as the arsenopyrite structure transforms to marcasite structure.