A facile and green synthetic approach based on deep eutectic solvents toward synthesis of CZTS nanoparticles

High efficiency, abundant, low-cost materials, easy and inexpensive method of fabrication, and long-term stability of photovoltaic devices based on CZTS nano-absorbent has made them the dominant technology for the next generation of solar cells. In this study, a facile, low-cost, and sustainable method was developed for synthesis of CZTS nanoparticles using deep eutectic solvents (DESs) to act as both solvent and template. CZTS nanoparticles were synthesized in choline chloride:urea DES in the presence of metal chloride precursors and thiourea as sulfur source. The results on characterization of synthesized nano particles revealed the synthesis of kesterite CZTS nanoparticles having average crystal size of 6.5 nm, combined spherical-platelet morphology with particle diameter of 20-25 nm, elemental composition corresponding to Cu2ZnSnS4, and band gap of about 1.6 eV. The present study is worthy of attention in view of providing a simple, fast and sustainable synthesis of CZTS nanoparticles. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.