A facile arrested precipitation method for synthesis of pure wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals using thiourea as a sulfur source

A facile route for the synthesis of wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals was developed by an arrested precipitation method at 240 °C under simple reaction conditions with diethanolamine as the solvent and thiourea as sulfur source. The structure and morphology of the CZTS nanocrystals were characterized by X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Control experiments demonstrated that CZTS nanocrystals which are purely wurtzite structure are readily obtained. The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm. The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV, which indicates that the CZTS nanocrystals produced by this method possess promising applications in photovoltaic devices.

High-resolution TEM image of wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► Wurtzite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals were synthesized by arrested precipitation method.
► XRD, EDX, TEM demonstrate that the CZTS nanocrystals are purely wurtzite structure.
► The average diameter of the bulk CZTS products is found to be 10 ± 1.1 nm.
► The estimated direct bandgap energy is 1.56 eV for wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals.
► The electrical resistivity of the wurtzite CZTS nanocrystals is low.