Structural and electrical properties of argyrodite-type Cu7PS6 crystals

Cu7PS6 crystals were grown using direct crystallisation from the melt (Bridgman–Stockbarger technique). The crystal structure of Cu7PS6 was determined by X-ray powder diffraction. Cu7PS6 crystallise in the cubic structure, space group P213 (No. 198), the lattice parameter a = 9.6706(1) Å, formula units per cell Z = 4. Electrical properties of Cu7PS6 crystals were studied in the frequency range 10–1010 Hz and in the temperature interval 296–351 K. The performed analysis shows that the Cu7PS6 crystals are mixed electron-ionic conductors with some growth defects.