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Rapid synthesis and size control of CuInS2 semi-conductor nanoparticles using microwave irradiation

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Abstract

The properties of CuInS2 semi-conductor nanoparticles make them attractive materials for use in next-generation photovoltaics. We have prepared CuInS2 nanoparticles from single source precursors via microwave irradiation. Microwave irradiation methods have allowed us to increase the efficiency of preparation of these materials by providing uniform heating and rapid reaction times. The synergistic effect of varying thiol capping ligand concentrations as well as reaction temperatures and times resulted in fine control of nanoparticle growth in the 3–5 nm size range. Investigation of the photophysical properties of the colloidal nanoparticles were performed using electronic absorption and luminescence emission spectroscopy. Qualitative nanoparticles sizes were determined from the photoluminescence (PLE) data and compared to HRTEM images.

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Notes

  1. A collection of reviews on this topic is available in a special issue of Physica E (2002), 14, (1–2) entitled “Nanostructures in Photovoltaics”

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Aloysius F. Hepp and Stephanie L. Castro at the NASA Glenn Research Center for helpful discussions. The authors are grateful for funding from NSF (ESP-0132626), DOE (DE-FG02–04ER46142), the NASA-ISGC(FPK-416-03A), and Rigaku Inc. Part of the experiments were performed at MESL of PNNL.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Idaho State University, Campus Box 8023, Pocatello, ID, 83209-8023, USA

    Joseph S. Gardner, Endrit Shurdha, Lisa D. Lau, René G. Rodriguez & Joshua J. Pak

  2. WR Wiley Environmental Molecular Science Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, 99352, USA

    Chongmin Wang

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  1. Joseph S. Gardner
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  2. Endrit Shurdha
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  3. Chongmin Wang
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  4. Lisa D. Lau
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  5. René G. Rodriguez
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  6. Joshua J. Pak
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Correspondence to Joshua J. Pak.

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Gardner, J.S., Shurdha, E., Wang, C. et al. Rapid synthesis and size control of CuInS2 semi-conductor nanoparticles using microwave irradiation. J Nanopart Res 10, 633–641 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-007-9294-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11051-007-9294-7

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