Preparation and investgation of microstructural properties of $\mathrm{Pb_xSn_{1-x}Te}$ bulk alloys

The aim of this work is the preparation and characterization of the polycrystalline $\mathrm{Pb_xSn_{1-x}Te}$ bulk alloys, which isgrown by synthesis via a reaction of $\mathrm{Pb}$, $\mathrm{Sn}$, $\mathrm{Te}$ elements in sealed quartz ampoules. The elemental composition of the obtained samples was determined from energy dispersive X-ray (EDX). The structural characterization was investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The powder of X-ray diffraction of the alloys showed a single phase only, which was found to be cubic. The lattice parameter $a$ is calculated from the peak positions of X-ray diffraction data. The dependence of the lattice constant on composition X exhibits a linear behavior and may be described by the Vegard’s law.