Investigation into the structural and electrical properties of silver-intercalated zirconium diselenide

Silver-intercalated zirconium diselenides of the general formula AgxZrSe2 are synthesized for the first time. The phase diagram of the AgxZrSe2 compound is determined in the temperature range 423–523 K and at room temperature. An analysis has revealed the coexistence of two compounds, namely, Ag0.125ZrSe2 and Ag0.25ZrSe2, of which only the latter compound is stable at room temperature. The structural and electrical properties of AgxZrSe2 diselenides are investigated. The results obtained indicate a polaron nature of charge-carrier localization. A comparison with isostructural intercalation compounds shows that free charge carriers play a dominant role in screening of the impurity potential.