title: Preparation and characterization of CuInS2 nanocrystals for photovoltaic materials.
abstract: Copper indium disulphide (CIS) nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared using a one-pot synthesis. The stoichiometry was optimized based on its current density as measured by photoelectrochemical (PEC) experiments at interfaces between NC films deposited on ITO and 0.1 M methyl viologen dichloride (MV(2+)) solution. This method also offers insight into the kinetics of the photoreaction. A copper poor sulphur rich starting ratio was found to produce a copper-rich, indium-poor and slightly sulphur rich material. Further NC characterization was performed with SEM and TEM to investigate the morphology and crystallinity of the 30-70 nm NCs. The oxidation states of the individual elements were determined to be I, III, and 2- for Cu, In and S, respectively. Characteristics of optimal as-prepared NCs were found to be compatible among high functioning absorbing layers.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, The University of Western Ontario, 1151 Richmond Street, London, Ontario N6A 5B7, Canada.
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tapley
authors.forename: Daniel
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Vaccarello
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hedges
authors.forename: Falong
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Jia
authors.forename: David A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Love
authors.forename: Zhifeng
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Ding