Formation of Cu2SnS3 nanoparticles by sequential injection of tin and sulfur oleylamine solutions into Cu1.8S nanoparticle dispersion

Abstract The formation of Cu 2 SnS 3 nanoparticles by using Cu 1.8 S as a copper source was investigated. X-ray diffractometry, Raman spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy were carried out for characterization. Injecting sulfur oleylamine solution into copper oleylamine solution at 220 °C produced a dispersion of Cu 1.8 S nanoparticles of ~6 nm in size. Thereafter, injecting tin oleylamine solution into the Cu 1.8 S nanoparticle dispersion at 220 °C produced gelatinous amorphous Cu 2 SnS 3 precursor. The subsequent addition of sulfur oleylamine solution at 220 °C resulted in crystalline Cu 2 SnS 3 nanoparticles of ~8 nm in size.