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Flower-like structureIn2S3particles are prepared by a simple and rapid method. The reaction proceeds in a polyalcohol system without using any complex precursors. The phase and morphology of theIn2S3are investigated. Furthermore, flower-like structure CuS particles are synthesized via the reaction ofCu2+ions with the obtainedIn2S3as templates. Both theIn2S3and CuS particles can be used in preparing compound solar cell materialCuInS2.

We report the structural characterization of CuInS2 thin films based on Cu–In metal inks. CuInS2 films from the precursor films with different Cu/In ratios were sulfurized and investigated by SEM, XRD, Raman, and XPS. Morphological and compositional changes before and after etching of CuS impurity phase were also compared. By ex situ characterization of the CuInS2 films sulfurized at different temperatures, an established mechanism is proposed to explain the sulfurization process. The sulfurization is a diffusion‐limited process, in which the diffusion rate differences of Cu and In control the intermediate phases. Moreover, the Cu/In ratio and sulfurization temperature determine the morphological and structural qualities of the CuInS2 films.

Mesoporous TiO 2 is functionalized by 3-mercaptopropyl trimethyoxysilane (MPTMS) to anchor CdSe quantum dots (QDs). The resulting TiO 2 /CdSe is combined with solid-state electrolyte (CuSCN) to form solar cells. It is found that the efficiency of electron injection from QDs to TiO 2 can be improved owing to the substitution of the long chains of organic capping agents at the surface of QDs with MPTMS. The hydrolyzate of MPTMS forms an insulating barrier layer to reduce the recombination at the TiO 2 /CdSe interface, leading to the increase of open-circuit voltage (V oc ).