Arsenic Tetraselenide

Arsenic tetraselenide is a compound with the chemical formula As4Se4. It consists of four arsenic atoms and four selenium atoms arranged in a tetrahedral structure, where each arsenic atom is bonded to three selenium atoms and each selenium atom is bonded to two arsenic atoms.

Arsenic tetraselenide is a semiconductor material with a band gap of about 1.19 eV at room temperature. It exhibits interesting optical properties, such as strong infrared transparency and high refractive index. These properties make it a potential candidate for various applications in optoelectronics, including photovoltaics, photoconductors, and photodiodes.

The synthesis of arsenic tetraselenide can be achieved through several methods, including chemical vapor transport, solid-state reactions, and solution-based approaches. One common method involves mixing stoichiometric amounts of elemental arsenic and selenium powders and heating the mixture under inert gas flow.

Due to the toxicity of both arsenic and selenium, proper safety precautions should be taken during the handling and disposal of arsenic tetraselenide.