Synthesis and characterization of CuInS2 microsphere under controlled reaction conditions and its application in low-cost solar cells

CuInS2 microspheres were synthesized by Ultrasonic method in propylene glycol as solvent and copper oxalate, indium chloride and thioacetamde (TAA) as precursors. Optimum conditions such as reaction time, solvent type, sulfur source, and ultrasonic power were determined. Then, a thin film of CuInS2 was prepared and its application in solar cells was investigated. Photovoltaic characteristics such as Voc, Jsc and FF were measured. X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were performed to characterize the CuInS2 microsphere. The optical band gap of the CuInS2 microsphere was estimated to be 2.28 eV.