Synthesis of In2S3 thin films directly onto conductive substrates via PVP-assisted microwave irradiation method

We report a novel method for the direct synthesis of In2S3 porous thin films onto fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrate by rapid and single-step microwave solution heating. We revealed that the dosage of polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) significantly affected the morphology and film formation of In2S3. Thin films synthesized in one pot without any post-treatment were characterized by X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscope, transmission electron microscopy. The possible film-forming mechanism and the determinative role of PVP on the phase formation were discussed.