Facile hydrothermal synthesis of hydrotropic Cu2ZnSnS 4 nanocrystal quantum dots: Band-gap engineering and phonon confinement effect

  • W. C. Liu
  • , B. L. Guo
  • , X. S. Wu
  • , F. M. Zhang
  • , Chee Leung Mak
  • , K. H. Wong

Research output: Journal article publicationJournal articleAcademic researchpeer-review

Abstract

We developed a facile hydrothermal method for synthesizing ultrafine size-controllable earth-abundant Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals using simple Cu(ii), Zn(ii) and Sn(ii) inorganic salts and thiourea in a mixed ethylenediamine and di-water solution as precursors. X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering and transmission electron microscopy confirm that pure kesterite structure CZTS nanocrystals have been synthesized at temperatures as low as 180 °C. Broadening of Raman peaks and blue-shift of the absorption edge is attributed to quantum confinement within the nanocrystals. The hydrophilism and tunable band-gap of the CZTS nanocrystals show the potential applications of the nanocrystals for biological labelling and quantum dot based solar cells.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)3182-3186
Number of pages5
JournalJournal of Materials Chemistry A
Volume1
Issue number9
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Mar 2013

UN SDGs

This output contributes to the following UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

  1. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Chemistry
  • Renewable Energy, Sustainability and the Environment
  • General Materials Science

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