Synthesis and characterization of Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals by hot-injection method

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals were synthesized by hot injection method. The n-dodecanethiol (DDT) is used as coordinating ligand which is expected to have great effect on the nucleation and growth of the final CZTS nanocrystals. The influences of the amount of DDT on the structure, morphology and optical properties of CZTS nanocrystals were investigated in detail. The results show that the structures of the as-synthesized CZTS products are kesterite structure, the morphology of the nanocrystals changed from hexagonal to spherical and the average diameter of CZTS nanocrystals changed in the range of 13–23 nm. The band gap energy of the as-synthesized CZTS nanocrystals changed from 1.61 to 1.31 eV with increase of the amount of DDT. The obtained CZTS nanocrystals are suitable for using as an absorber layer in low-cost solar cells.