Synthesis of chalcopyrite CuInSe2 nanoparticles via a facile solvothermal method

Pure CuInSe
₂
nanoparticles with single chalcopyrite phase were prepared at 180-220°C with various solvothermal time using simple and environment-benign precursors of InCl
₃
, CuCl and Se powder in the solvent of ethylenediamine via solvothermal approach. Reaction time as well as temperature was found to be crucial for controlling the size and phase purity of the final product. At 200°C, the second binary phase of indium selenide would be existed within reaction time of 15 h and the formation of copper related binary phase was completely deterred due to the strong chelation of ethylenediamine with Cu
⁺
. These CuInSe
₂
nanoparticles with controllable size probably have applications in solar cell devices.