A High-Yield Synthesis of Chalcopyrite CuInS₂ Nanoparticles with Exceptional Size Control

Aaron Thurber, Boise State University
Alex Punnoose, Boise State University

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This document was originally published by Hindawi in Journal of Nanomaterials. Copyright restrictions may apply. DOI: 10.1155/2009/748567

Abstract

We report high-yield and efficient size-controlled syntheses of Chalcopyrite CuInS₂ nanoparticles by decomposing molecular single source precursors (SSPs) via microwave irradiation in the presence of 1,2-ethanedithiol at reaction temperatures as low as 100◦C and times as short as 30 minutes. The nanoparticles sizes were 1.8nm to 10.8 nm as reaction temperatures were varied from 100◦C to 200◦C with the bandgaps from 2.71 eV to 1.28 eV with good size control and high yields (64%–95%). The resulting nanoparticles were analyzed by XRD, UV-Vis, ICP-OES, XPS, SEM, EDS, and HRTEM. Titration studies by ¹H NMR using SSP 1 with 1,2-ethanedithiol and benzyl mercaptan were conducted to elucidate the formation of Chalcopyrite CuInS2 nanoparticles.