Microanalysis on CuInSe2 compound synthesized by mechanochemical processing

CuInSe2 (CIS) compound has been synthesized by mechanochemical processing (MCP) with different process parameters. The effect of milling time and different molar ratios of Cu:In:Se was investigated. The obtained materials were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) for evaluating their crystal structure, grain size, morphology and composition. Field emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) was used to detect the smog particles produced during the milling. The results revealed that the obtained powder was chalcopyrite CuInSe2 and the particle size was smaller than 5 μm after milling for 60 min. The EDS analysis indicated that the smog was volatile selenium. The composition of the products deviated from those of starting materials after MCP. The mechanism about mechanically induced self-propagating reaction which occurred during milling copper, indium and selenium powders was also discussed.