Single Crystals and Oxidation of CuxMo6S8

Abstract
Single Crystals of CuxMo6S8 (1.4≤x≤1.7) are grown by the Bridgman method. SIMS, RBS, and X-ray analyses reveal that the oxidation on the {100}R cleaved surfaces in air at ∼473 K (200°C) forms two layers, copper oxides (∼0.1 μm deep) and “dilute zone” (a few μm deep) in order from the surface. Total variation of copper component in the bulk of Cu∼1.5Mo6S8 crystals is 0.002/h in oxidation at 463 K (190°C).