Low temperature synthesis of lanthanum and neodymium chalkogenide monocrystals

The possibility of obtaining monocrystals of α-phase of RE ohalkogenides at room temperature by the method of gel crystallization in imitation of La2S3 and Nd2S3 crystals is shown. The monocrystals have been grown without using thermostatting. The gel served as a reaction medium for chemical synthesis and has been prepared on the base of sodium metasilicate. As initial component lanthanum and neodymium chlorides synthesized by metal excess solution in a small amount of hydrochloric acid. The crystal appearance has been visually noted in 3-4 weeks. The crystals have grown in a form of straw-yellow needles forming stellar clusters. The Nd2-S3 needles value is - up to 0.4x0.06x6 mm3. The La2S3 crystals are of smaller size and they have grown more slowly. The grow samples have been identified by the X-ray method