Chemistry of Thallium-based Topological Insulators

The goal of this review is to briefly introduce the chemistry of the topological insulators (TIs) based on thallium chalcogenides. Numerous phase diagrams of ternary Tl-BV-X (BV – Sb, Bi; X – Se, Te) systems having TlBVX2 type compounds which exhibit spin polarized topological surface state is evaluated and compiled. Published data on the phase equilibria in the quaternary Tl-Sb-Bi-X and Tl-BV-X-X/ systems are also reviewed and it has been revealed that their quasiternary Tl2X-Sb2X3-Bi2X3 and reciprocal 3Tl2X+BV2X/3↔3Tl2X/+BV2X3 subsystems form a wide range of solid solutions based on compounds TlBVX2 and BV2X3, whose both confirmed as potential 3D TIs materials. All phase diagrams of respective systems offer profound possibilities for growth their large single crystals from melt.