Solvothermal synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals by using metal oxides

In this study, Cu
2
ZnSnS
4
(CZTS) has been fabricated via a low toxicity solvothermal process. Using Cu
2
O, ZnO, SnO, carbon disulfide and 1-butylamine as starting materials, single-phase CZTS nanoparticles are obtained through a solvothermal reaction at 200 °C for 24 h, and the Cu:Zn:Sn ratio in the as-synthesized CZTS was close to the expected stoichiometric ratio 2:1:1. We also investigated the structure and morphology properties of the as-synthesized CZTS nanoparticles through Xray diffraction and scanning electron microscope.