Synthesis and characterization of nanoparticles of CZTSe by microwave-assited chemical synthesis

Abstract

In this study we present the synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 (CZTSe) nanoparticles by microwave-

Nanoscale photovoltage mapping in CZTSe/CuxSe heterostructure by using kelvin probe force microscopy

“…A slight deviation from the optimal growth conditions of the kesterite phase result in the evolution of several secondary phases, such as ZnS, Cu 2 SnS 3 , SnS and CuS [6,7]. Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 (CZTSe) thin films synthesized by different methods like stacked deposited precursors followed by selenization [8], microwave assisted chemical synthesis [9], solvent-thermal reflux method, [10] and magnetron sputtering of multilayers [11] all have the Cu x Se secondary phase, even when the composition of the overall absorber layer is stoichiometric. In the reaction sequence of CZTSe, the elemental metals (Cu, Zn, Sn and Se) first form CuSe and then Cu 2 SnSe 3 , which forms the Cu 2 ZnSnSe 4 phase on reaction with ZnSe.…”

Aqueous Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 Nanocrystals

“…Although CZTS nanoparticle routes, including green and scalable syntheses, have been widely reported, 35,50−56 reports related to CZTSe nanoparticles are much more scarce. [36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49]57 CZTSe nanoparticle syntheses typically involve the use of toxic solvents such as hydrazine, 37,38 or hot injection reactions in nonpolar solvents that require extensive post processing. 34,[39][40][41][42][43][44][45]57,58 This is mainly due to the difficulty in forming soluble Se anions or precursors in solution.…”

“…Various methods for the fabrication of CZTSSe thin films have been developed, including quinary sputtering and CZTSSe nanoparticle deposition; , however, the bulk of the literature has focused on a two-step process of depositing pure CZTS or CZTSe films followed by selenization and/or sulfurization at high temperature under toxic atmospheres to form the mixed CZTSSe phase. ,− The deposition of CZTS and CZTSe films can be achieved by the decomposition of molten salts, − reactive sputtering, − electroplating, − vapor deposition, − precursor solution deposition, − and nanoparticle ink sintering. − Of these, nanoparticle routes are among the most promising because of their potential to be inexpensive and scalable, while maintaining superior phase and compositional control when compared to nonsolution-based approaches. Although CZTS nanoparticle routes, including green and scalable syntheses, have been widely reported, ,− reports related to CZTSe nanoparticles are much more scarce. − , CZTSe nanoparticle syntheses typically involve the use of toxic solvents such as hydrazine,<...…”

“…Although CZTS nanoparticle routes, including green and scalable syntheses, have been widely reported, ,− reports related to CZTSe nanoparticles are much more scarce. − , CZTSe nanoparticle syntheses typically involve the use of toxic solvents such as hydrazine, , or hot injection reactions in nonpolar solvents that require extensive post processing. ,− ,, This is mainly due to the difficulty in forming soluble Se anions or precursors in solution. Whereas “greener” CZTSe nanoparticle syntheses do exist, − these typically do not have precise elemental ratio control and use bulky aliphatic ligands to stabilize nanoparticles via steric repulsion, which leaves organic impurities in the resultant film, even after thermal annealing, hindering device performance. ,, …”