Rapid synthesis of hollow CTS nanoparticles using microwave irradiation

Cu2SnS3 (CTS) nanoparticles were rapidly fabricated by microwave irradiation using l-cysteine as sulfur source. The phase structure, shape and composition of the CTS nanoparticles were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), respectively. The results showed that the phase of as-obtained CTS nanoparticles was cubic and the nanoparticles presented a hollow structure. A vesicle-template mechanism was proposed to explain the formation mechanism of the hollow CTS nanoparticles. UV-vis absorption spectra showed that the hollow CTS nanoparticles possess direct band gap energy of 1.25 eV.