Effects of hydrothermal annealing on characteristics of CuInS2 thin films by SILAR method

► A new hydrothermal annealing method could be used to prepare CuInS2 films grown on glass substrates by SILAR method. ► Single-phase chalcopyrite CuInS2 films are obtained by hydrothermal annealing of SILAR-deposited films for different time in Na2S solution. ► The annealed CuInS2 films were well-crystallized and slightly S-rich.