title: Copper-based ternary and quaternary semiconductor nanoplates: templated synthesis, characterization, and photoelectrochemical properties.
abstract: Two-dimensional (2D) copper-based ternary and quaternary semiconductors are promising building blocks for the construction of efficient solution-processed photovoltaic devices at low cost. However, the facile synthesis of such 2D nanoplates with well-defined shape and uniform size remains a challenge. Reported herein is a universal template-mediated method for preparing copper-based ternary and quaternary chalcogenide nanoplates, that is, CuInS2, CuIn(x)Ga(1-x)S2, and Cu2ZnSnS4, by using a pre-synthesized CuS nanoplate as the starting template. The various synthesized nanoplates are monophasic with uniform thickness and lateral size. As a proof of concept, the Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoplates were immobilized on a Mo/glass substrate and used as semiconductor photoelectrode, thus showing stable photoelectrochemical response. The method is general and provides future opportunities for fabrication of cost-effective photovoltaic devices based on 2D semiconductors.
authors: School of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, Singapore 639798 (Singapore) http://www.ntu.edu.sg/home/hzhang/
authors: Xue-Jun
authors: XJ
authors: Wu
authors: Xiao
authors: X
authors: Huang
authors: Xiaoying
authors: X
authors: Qi
authors: Hai
authors: H
authors: Li
authors: Bing
authors: B
authors: Li
authors: Hua
authors: H
authors: Zhang
keywords: copper; electron microscopy; nanomaterials; photovoltaic devices; template synthesis