title: Synthesis of CulnS2, CulnSe2, and Cu(InxGa(1-x))Se2 (CIGS) nanocrystal "inks" for printable photovoltaics.
abstract: Chalcopyrite copper indium sulfide (CuInS2) and copper indium gallium selenide (Cu(InxGa(1-x))-Se2; CIGS) nanocrystals ranging from approximately 5 to approximately 25 nm in diameter were synthesized by arrested precipitation in solution. The In/Ga ratio in the CIGS nanocrystals could be controlled by varying the In/Ga reactant ratio in the reaction, and the optical properties of the CulnS2 and CIGS nanocrystals correspond to those of the respective bulk materials. Using methods developed to produce uniform, crack-free micrometer-thick films, CulnSe2 nanocrystals were tested in prototype photovoltaic devices. As a proof-of-concept, the nanocrystal-based devices exhibited a reproducible photovoltaic response.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas Materials Institute and Center for Nano- and Molecular Science and Technology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas 78712-1062, USA.
authors.forename: Matthew G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Panthani
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Akhavan
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Goodfellow
authors.forename: Johanna P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Schmidtke
authors.forename: Lawrence
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunn
authors.forename: Ananth
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dodabalapur
authors.forename: Paul F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Barbara
authors.forename: Brian A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Korgel