Published online by Cambridge University Press: 31 January 2011
Electrophotographic properties of chalcogenide materials are readily influenced by altering their composition and/or structure. Dark decay and cycle down of photoreceptors utilizing small particle generators are both directly proportional to average crystallite size (ACS). This paper describes a novel chemical method to control the ACS of Se, Te, and Sex Te1−x alloys. These chalcogenide materials are prepared as powders by the reduction or coreduction of SeIV and/or TeIV intermediates with hydrazine, in organic media. To control the ACS of precipitated chalcogens the reaction is carried out at the desired temperature. X-ray diffraction measurements are used to determine the ACS, homogeneity, and phase of these precipitated powders.