REACTION PATHWAY INSIGHTS INTO THE SOLVOTHERMAL PREPARATION OF Culn\u3csub\u3e1- x\u3c/sub\u3eGa\u3csub\u3ex\u3c/sub\u3eSe\u3csub\u3e2\u3c/sub\u3e NANOCRYSTALLINE MATERIALS

Abstract

Reaction pathway investigations of the solvothermal preparation of nanocrystalline Culn1- xGaxSe2 in triethylenetetramine reveal the early formation of a previously unreported Cu2-xSe(S) intermediate. Over 24 hours, this reacts with In and Se species to form CulnSe2(s). If Ga is present, the reaction proceeds over an additional 48 hours to form Culn1-xGaxSe2. Adding ammonium halide salts reduces the CulnSe2 formation time to as little as 30 minutes. It is proposed that in these cases, Cu2-xSe particle growth is limited via a competitive Cu-halide complex formation. The smaller Cu2-xSe particles may react and form CulnSe2 more rapidly. A reaction pathway scheme consistent with experimental results and previous literature reports is proposed