Synthesis of AgBiSe2 via a facile low temperature aqueous solution route for enhanced photoelectric properties devices

Silver dimetal chalcogenides ternary semiconductors are commonly obtained by complex and difficult synthetic process, such as high temperatures (similar to 1100 K), long reaction times and mixture heterogeneity involving solid phases. Here, we present a facile aqueous synthesis route for the preparation of AgBiSe2 nanoparticles at low temperature (similar to 373 K). The as-synthesized AgBiSe2 nanoparticles possess narrow size distribution (ca. 80 nm) and excellent light absorbance across the entire UV/Vis region. More important, AgBiSe2-based devices exhibit a reduced resistance of 0.53 Omega*m and markedly 50% improved absorption efficiency under monochromatic light after heating treatment. These results may potentially be extended for the preparation of other ternary semiconductors.