Evolution pathway of CZTSe nanoparticles synthesized by microwave-assisted chemical synthesis

In this study we present the reaction mechanism of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ (CZTSe) nanoparticles synthesized by microwave-assisted chemical synthesis. We performed reactions every 10 minutes in order to identify different phases during quaternary CZTSe formation. The powder samples were analyzed by x-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results showed that in the first minutes copper phases are predominant, then copper and tin secondary phases react to form ternary phase. The quaternary phase is formed at 50 minutes while ternary and secondary phases are consumed. At 60 minutes pure quaternary CZTSe phase is present. After 60 minutes the quaternary phase decomposes in the previous ternary and secondary phases, which indicates that 60 minutes is ideal reaction time. The EDS analysis of pure quaternary nanocrystals (CZTSe) showed stoichiometric relations similar to the reported research in the literature, which falls in the range of Cu/(Zn+Sn): 0.8-1.0, Zn/Sn: 1.0-1.20. In conclusion, the evolution pathway of CZTSe synthesized by this novel method is similar to other synthesis methods reported before. Nanoparticles synthesized in this study present desirable properties in order to use them in solar cell and photoelectrochemical cell applications.