Patent ID: 8449859

Claim:
A process, comprising the steps of: a) providing a reaction mixture comprising: i) a source of a first element selected from Cu, Ag, Au, Cu salt, Ag salt, Au salt or mixture thereof; ii) a source of a second element selected from Zn, Cd, and Hg, Zn salt, Cd salt, Hg salt, or mixture thereof; iii) a source of a third element selected from Ge, Sn, and Si, Ge salt, Sn salt, Si salt or mixture thereof; iv) a source of chalcogen; and v) a flux; wherein the total molar ratio of the (first element):(second element):(third element):(chalcogen) in the reaction mixture is about 2:1:1:(4 or greater); b) heating the reaction mixture in an inert atmosphere to a temperature of about 150° C. to about 1000° C., wherein the reaction mixture is heated in an open container; and c) cooling the reaction mixture.