One-step synthesis of Cu2ZnSnSe4 microparticles via a facile solution route in triethylenetetramine reaction media and its characterization

Cu2ZnSnSe4(CZTSe) microparticles were successfully synthesized by the one-step solution-chemical method in a novel solvent triethylenetramine under the open-air condition. The characterization of its phase constituents, morphology, structure and optical properties were done using powder X-ray diffraction(XRD), Raman spectra, Scanning electron microscope(SEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometer (EDS) and ultraviolet-visible (UV-vis) spectrophotometry, respectively. The X-ray diffraction and Raman pattern showed that the CZTSe microparticles had single phase with a stannite structure. Moreover, the prepared products showed the morphology of microparticles with size ranging from 2000-4000 nm. The composition of the CZTSe microparticles was basically corresponds with the theoretical value. The observed band gap of 1.44 eV matched well with the bulk CZTSe material which made them promising candidates as absorber materials for photovoltaic applications. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.