Low-cost chemical fabrication of Cu2ZnSnS4 microparticles and film

In this study, ball cactus-like kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 microparticles were successfully and rapidly fabricated by chemical solution with microwave irradiation using ethylene glycol as a solvent. And then CZTS thin film was prepared by ink-print method. The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, energy dispersive spectrometer, scan electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and UV–vis-NIR spectroscopy. The results showed that the as-prepared microparticles had single phase, stoichiometric composition, a ball cactus-like shape with a diameter about 300 nm and that CZTS thin film had large grains and high crystallinity.