Abstract
In this study, we report a rapid and single-step synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals using microwave-assisted solution method. The influence of reaction temperature and reaction time on the phase purity, crystallographic structure, morphology and optical property of CZTS particles were investigated using X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, scanning electronic microscope, transmission electron microscopy and ultraviolet–visible spectrometer. Results revealed that the single kesterite CZTS particles with no secondary phase can be obtained by preparing samples at minimal temperature of 170 °C. The sphere-like particles, each of which contains many nanocrystals, decrease effectively in size when increasing the reaction temperature from 170 to 200 °C. The CZTS nanocrystals have an optical band gap around 1.5 eV, which is optimal for photovoltaic applications. In addition, minimal reaction time of 10 min is also essential for the growth of single kesterite CZTS. Our study demonstrated that appropriate reaction temperature and reaction time are crucial for the synthesis of high-quality CZTS by microwave irradiation method.
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig1_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig2_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig3_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig4_HTML.jpg)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig5_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig6_HTML.gif)
![](http://media.springernature.com/m312/springer-static/image/art%3A10.1007%2Fs10854-015-3114-0/MediaObjects/10854_2015_3114_Fig7_HTML.jpg)
Similar content being viewed by others
References
P. Jackson, D. Hariskos, R. Wuerz, W. Wischmann, M. Powalla, Phys. Status Solidi Rapid Res. Lett. 8, 219 (2014)
T. Wada, S. Nakamura, T. Maeda, Prog. Photovolt. Res. Appl. 20, 520 (2012)
H. Katagiri, K. Jimbo, W.S. Maw, K. Oishi, M. Yamazaki, H. Araki et al., Thin Solid Films 517, 2455 (2009)
D.B. Mitzi, O. Gunawan, T.K. Todorov, K.J. Wang, S. Guha, Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 95, 1421 (2011)
X. Song, X. Ji, M. Li, W. Lin, X. Luo, H. Zhang, Int. J. Photoenergy 2014, 613173 (2014)
W. Shockley, H.J. Queisser, J. Appl. Phys. 32, 510 (1961)
F. Liu, Y. Li, K. Zhang, B. Wang, C. Yan, Y. Lai et al., Sol. Energy Mater. Sol. Cells 12, 2431 (2010)
K. Moriya, K. Tanaka, H. Uchiki, Jpn. J. Appl. Phys. 46, 5780 (2007)
T. Washio, T. Shinji, S. Tajima, J. Mater. Chem. 22, 4021 (2012)
N.M. Shinde, R.J. Deokate, C.D. Lokhande, J. Anal. Appl. Pyrolysis 100, 12 (2013)
K. Zhang, J. Tao, J. He, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 25, 2703 (2014)
G.L. Agawane, S.W. Shin, S.A. Vanalakar, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 26, 1900 (2015)
R.S. Kumar, B.D. Ryu, S. Chandramohan, J.K. Seol, S.K. Lee, C.H. Hong, Mater. Lett. 86, 174 (2012)
W. Wang, H. Shen, F. Jiang, X. He, Z. Yue, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 24, 1813 (2013)
K. Wang, P. Chen, C. Tseng, CrystEngComm 15, 9863 (2013)
T.R. Knutson, P.J. Hanson, E.S. Aydilb, R.L. Penn, Chem. Commun. 50, 5902 (2014)
X.T. Lu, Z.B. Zhuang, Q. Peng, Y.D. Li, Chem. Commun. 47, 3141 (2011)
A. Wei, Z. Yan, Y. Zhao, M. Zhuang, J. Liu, Int. J. Hydrog. Energy 4, 797 (2015)
Y.L. Zhou, W.H. Zhou, M. Li, Y.F. Du, S.X. Wu, J. Phys. Chem. C 115, 19632 (2011)
P.R. Ghediya, T.K. Chaudhuri, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 26, 1908 (2015)
S.W. Shin, J.H. Han, C.Y. Park, S. Kim, Y.C. Park, G.L. Agawane et al., J. Alloys. Compd. 541, 192 (2012)
W. Wang, H. Shen, X. He, J. Li, J. Nanopart. Res. 16, 2437 (2014)
J. Chen, Q. Chen, H. Yuan, T. Wang, F. Zhou, X. Dou, S. Zhuang, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 25, 873 (2014)
W. Wang, H. Shen, H. Yao, J. Mater. Sci.: Mater. Electron. 26, 1449 (2015)
Q. Guo, H.W. Hillhouse, R. Agrawal, J. Am. Chem. Soc. 131, 11672 (2009)
P.A. Fernandes, P.M.P. Salomé, A.F. Cunha, J. Alloys. Compd. 509, 7600 (2011)
Y. Nien, B. Zaman, J. Quyang, I. Chen, C. Hwang, K. Yu, Mater. Lett. 62, 4522 (2008)
B. Flynn, W. Wang, C. Chang, G.S. Herman, Phys. Status Solidi A Appl. Mater. Sci. 209, 2186 (2012)
Acknowledgments
We acknowledge the financial supports from the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 51202037 and 61204049) and Science and Technology Innovation Project of Department of Education of Guangdong Province Projects (No. 2013KJCX0065).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Zhao, Y., Tao, W., Chen, X. et al. Synthesis and characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals prepared by microwave irradiation method. J Mater Sci: Mater Electron 26, 5645–5652 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-3114-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10854-015-3114-0