Syntheses and Characterizations of CuIn_1-xZn_xSe₂ Chalcopyrite Nanoparticles

CuIn_1-xZn_xSe₂ powders with various atomic percentages (x = 0, 0.05, 0.11, 0.16 and 0.21) were synthesized with the solvothermal method using metal chlorides and ethylendiamine as sources of precursors and a solvent, respectively. The experiment aims to investigate the effect of atomic percentages of Zn_x compounds on the structural and optical properties of CuIn_1-xZn_xSe₂ in order to improve future technological applications based on this material. The powders' chalcopyrite phases were identified by X-ray diffraction. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of Cu, In, Zn and Se with the expected atomic ratio of Zn/(In + Zn). Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy analysis showed that the powders have large-scale desert rose-like structures. The nanopowders' optical study by UV-visible spectrophotometry showed that the CuIn_1-xZn_xSe₂ energy gap values increase with the molar fraction of Zn_x. A change from 1.15 to 1.4 eV was observed.