Sphere-like kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles synthesized by a facile solvothermal method

Abstract In this paper, sphere-like kesterite Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) nanoparticles were successfully synthesized by a facile solvothermal method. The CZTS nanoparticles with diameter range of 100–150 nm were agglomerated by CZTS nanocrystals. The as-obtained CZTS nanoparticles were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission election microscopy (TEM), Energy Dispersive Spectrometry (EDS) and UV–vis spectroscopy. Texture structures with kesterite crystallinity were reflected from the X-ray diffraction of 112, 200 and 312 planes of the CZTS nanoparticles. The UV–vis absorption spectra showed that CZTS nanoparticles had strong absorption in the visible light region. The observed band gap of 1.48 eV matched well with the bulk CZTS material that was optimal for solar cells.