A facile route to the synthesis of CuInS2 nanoparticles

CuInS2 nanoparticles have been synthesized using solvent thermolysis method. Dark brown CuInS2 nanoparticles were obtained by solvent thermolysis of a mixture of In(S2COEt)3 and Cu(S2COEt) in 1 : 1 stoichiometric ratio in ethylene glycol at 196 °C for 15 min. These nanoparticles were characterized extensively by techniques like powder X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The absorption and photoluminescence studies of the CuInS2 nanoparticles displayed quantum confinement behavior.