Synthesis of CuInS₂ Nanocubes by a Wet Chemical Process

Abstract

Cube‐shaped CuInS₂ nanoparticles were successfully prepared through a simple low‐temperature solution route. Mercaptoacetic acid was used as capping agent. The product was characterized by means of X‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive analysis of X‐rays (EDAX), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL). The CuInS₂ nanocubes obtained were of a chalcopyrite structure. The EDAX analysis shows that as‐synthesized CuInS₂ nanocubes were slightly Cu‐rich and nearly stoichiometric.

Keywords:

• CuInS₂
• nanocubes
• wet chemical synthesis

Acknowledgments

We thank the Excellent Young Teachers Program and the Research Foundation for Returned Student Abroad of MOE, China, for financial support. The authors also thank Shanghai Education Committee for support.