Synthesis of Cu₂ZnSnSe₄ nanocrystals from metal sources using a facile process in isophorondiamine

This study synthesized CZTSe nanoparticles from metal sources using an isophoronediamine (IPDA) solution for the first time. After reaction of elemental Cu, Zn, Sn and Se powders in an autoclave with IPDA as the solvent at a temperature of 235 °C, spherical CZTSe nanocrystals with diameters in the range of 20-30 nm were obtained. Characterization confirms that the as-synthesized CZTSe has a stannite structure. Optical measurements revealed nanocrystals with a direct band gap of 1.42 eV. This study presents the synthesis of CZTSe nanocrystals applicable to inexpensive thin film solar cells using a relatively simple, low cost, and convenient coordinating solvent route.