Synthesis and characterization of CuInS₂ nanoparticles as potential candidates for photocatalyst and photovoltaic materials

摘要

Nanostructured CuInS 2 (CIS) as the absorption layer of solar cells prepared through microwave assisted co-precipitation technique. Obtained dark brown CuInS 2 nanoparticles via microwave irradiation by mixture of Cu(SO 4 ) 2 .H 2 O and InCl 3 and sulfide sources, such as thioacetamide (TAA), thiourea and l-cysteine, at a 1:1:2 molar ratio, propylene glycol used as a solvent. In the process, the affect of sulfide source on the nano particle morp hology and photovoltaic solar cell yield were investigated. The properties studied through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM). CuInS2 tetragonal shape confirmed with the XRD analysis. The band gap of CuInS 2 was 2.2eV. For the solar cell tests, a CdS film deposited on the CIS thin film using the Doctor's blade method. By using methyl orange (MO) the photocatalytic degradation activity examined under the visible light irradiation (λ > 400 nm).