A simple route to complex materials: the synthesis of alkaline earth - transition metal sulfides.

A simple, low-temperature synthesis of a family of alkaline earth metal chalcogenide thin films is reported. These materials have previously only been produced from demanding, high temperature, high pressure reactions. The decomposition of calcium, barium and copper xanthates leads to the clean formation of CaS, BaS, CaCu2S2, β-BaCu2S2 and β-BaCu4S3.