Phase diagram of Pb–Se–Te system I: Experimental study

Abstract Pb–Se–Te ternary system is of significant importance for thermoelectric applications. However, no systematic study of its phase diagram has been carried until now. Samples of Pb–Se–Te ternary alloys were prepared, their phase equilibrium phases were determined, and the Pb–Se–Te isothermal sections at 350 °C and 500 °C were proposed based on the experimental results. No ternary compounds were found. There is one three phase field, Pb(Se,Te)+liquid(Se,Te)+(Se,Te) at 350 °C and no three phase field at 500 °C. PbSe and PbTe form a continuous solid solution at both temperatures.