title: Self-assembled hierarchical nanostructures composed of novel chalcopyrite nanosheets for photovoltaic properties.
abstract: Self-assembled nanostructures of CulnGaSe2 (CIGS) comprising of nanosheets with sheet thickness of 20 nm have been developed via one-step electrochemically alloying technique. These self-assembled nanoplates exhibit highly intersecting behavior and transform from CuSe to CIGS as the reduction potential was varied. The morphological analysis indicated that the process resulted in a progression of crystallites to a series of heavy dense intersecting nanoplates. Further analyses revealed that the nanostructures keep their integrity on heat treatment. The structure confirms the inclusion of Indium and Gallium at higher reduction potentials and its transition from pseudoamorphous to polycrystalline structure. A strong correlation between reduction potential, and the composition was established. The spectroscopic and optical spectra clearly prove that the direct band gap for the as-grown and annealed thin films, and appropriate for solar cell applications. These self-assembled dense interweaved nanoplates structure have not been observed previously in CIGS semiconductor system and have potential implications forenergy applications.
authors: Center for Materials Research, Norfolk State University, Norfolk, Virginia VA 23504, USA.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Bamiduro
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Chennamadhava
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Bowie
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Robinson
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Dondapati
authors: R B
authors: RB
authors: Konda
authors: B
authors: B
authors: Robertson
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bahoura
authors: A K
authors: AK
authors: Pradhan
authors: Y
authors: Y
authors: Cui
authors: P
authors: P
authors: Bhattacharya
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Burger
mesh_terms: D003300:Copper / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D008027:Light; D046911:Macromolecular Substances / Q000737:chemistry; D008422:Materials Testing; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D046911:Macromolecular Substances; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; C012819:chalcopyrite; D003300:Copper