Thermal decomposition of tris(O-ethyldithiocarbonato)-antimony(III)—a single-source precursor for antimony sulfide thin films

Abstract Thermal decomposition of tris(O-ethyldithiocarbonato)-antimony(III) ( 1 ), a precursor for Sb 2 S 3 thin films synthesized from an acidified aqueous solution SbCl and KS COCH CH , was monitored by simultaneous thermogravimetry, differential thermal analysis evolved gas via mass spectroscopy (TG/DTA-EGA-MS) measurements in dynamic Ar, synthetic air atmospheres. identified Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) measurements, quantified NMR elemental analysis. Solid intermediates final products prepared both atmospheres were determined X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, FTIR. is complex compound, where coordinated three ethyldithiocarbonate ligands the atoms. The degradation Ar consists loss steps, four steps air. total losses are 100% at 800 °C 66.8% 600 air, product O 4 . melts 85 °C, decomposes 90–170 into mainly as confirmed Raman, impurity phase consisting mostly CSO 2? ligands. solid-phase mineralizes fully ?240 which permits to crystallize around 250 gaseous species include CS C H 5 OH, CO, CO COS, O, SO minor quantities SH, (C ) S, (S mechanism described with chemical reactions based on EGA-MS solid intermediate