The main purpose of this project was to determine the type of chemical interaction in the Сu₂ZnSnS₄ – Cu₂CdSnS₄ solid solution system, through different methods of physico-chemical analysis. These include determination of the regions of solubility, and of the optimal regime of the temperatures for syntesis and the growth of Cu₂ZnSnS₄, Сu₂CdSnS₄ single crystals and Cu₂Zn_1-xCd_xSnS₄ solid solutions, as well as analysis of the main laws for change of physico-chemical, physiscal, optical and electrical properties of these materials.

To achieve the proposed project goal, the following objectives were proposed:

1) Investigation of the phase diagram of the Сu₂ZnSnS₄ – Cu₂CdSnS₄ system and determination of the optimal crystal synthesis and growth parameters by melt-oriented crystallization (Bridgman method) and from the gaseous phase (chemical vapor transport method);

2) Compositional and structural characterization of Cu₂ZnSnS₄, Сu₂CdSnS₄ single crystals, and of Cu₂Zn_1-xCd_xSnS₄ solid solutions using the micro-X-ray-spectral and X-ray analysis;

3) Analysis of the dependence of the elementary cell parameters, density, microdurance and band gap of Cu₂Zn_1-xCd_xSnS₄ solid solutions from the chemical composition.

Study of photoluminescence and Raman spectra, as well as of electrical transport properties of the materials mentioned above.

Activity report