Low-temperature sintered CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2 prepared by colloidal processing

Two-step sintering of nanocrystalline Cu(In0.7Ga0.3)Se2

“…The samples formed using the dry pressing method and sintering at 500 1C for 2 h under Se 2 atmosphere still exhibited a porous microstructure. This may be because inter-agglomerate pores existing in the green body hindered the densification [12]. The results reveal that normal sintering is not suitable for densification of CIGS nanoparticles.…”

“…2. Comparing with the sintered CIGS bodies prepared using the dry-pressing method [12], the agglomerates can be broken-up and the densification can be significantly improved by using the hot-press sintering. Crack like voids were observed in the sample hot-press sintered at 500 1C and 60 MPa, which might result from the sintering of large agglomerates ( Fig.…”

“…In our previous study, a sintered CuIn 0.7 Ga 0.3 Se 2 ceramic with a high relative density and grain size of 2.7 μm was obtained using centrifugal forming of well-dispersed CIGS nano-crystals sintered at 550 1C for 3 h under Se 2 atmosphere [12]. However, the centrifugal forming method is difficult to scale-up.…”

Fast preparation of Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and CuIn(S,Se)2 bulk materials by combustion synthesis

“…For the fabrication of Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 thin film by direct sputtering, a target with correct composition and low porosity is required. Up to now, Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 targets have been produced mostly by sintering from presynthesized Cu(In,Ga)Se 2 powder or a mixture of Cu 2 Se, In 2 Se 3 , and Ga 2 Se 3 powders . The sintering process involves a heat treatment at a temperature of 500‐900°C for several hours, and to improve the densification hot‐pressing or hot isostatic pressing is necessary .…”

Parametric optimization of mechanochemical process for synthesis of Cu(In, Ga)0.5Se2 nanoparticles

“…There is plethora of chemical methods including a colloidal process [14], solvothermal process [15] and hot injection [16] to synthesize CIGS nanoparticles. But the chemical processes are either time consuming or requires schlenk-line techniques [17].…”