Characteristics of CuInSe₂ Nanoparticles Synthesized by Se-Redox Method

Abstract

CuInSe₂ nanoparticles (NPs) were successfully synthesized by a simple Se-redox method. All the precursor materials (copper chloride, indium chloride and selenium) were mixed in a solvent (oleylamine) together, and the mixtures were reacted at 240°C. The CuInSe₂ NPs, acquired by a centrifugation and washing process, have tetragonal crystal structure and the atomic elemental ratio (Cu:In:Se) of nearly 1:1:2. The size of the CuInSe₂ NPs ranges from 4 nm to 80 nm, and the size could be easily controlled by adjusting the reaction time. Using this simple but novel method, we demonstrate the production of CuInSe₂ NPs of stoichiometric ratio with size controllability suitable for mass-production.

Keywords:

• Nanoparticles
• solar cell
• CuInSe₂
• se-redox
• absorber

Acknowledgments

This reseach was supported by Basic Science Research Program through the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) funded by the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (2010-0023839), and the Human Resources Development Program of Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) grant (No. 20104010100580) funded by the Korean Ministry of Knowledge Economy.