Solvent mediated rapid synthesis of orthorhombic Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS)

Abstract Low-cost photovoltaic material, Cu 2 ZnSnS 4 (CZTS) in orthorhombic symmetry was synthesized by a solvent mediated thermolysis process at low temperatures and characterized by suitable analytical techniques. Elemental mapping and homogeneity of the final products were confirmed from STEM analysis. Further, evidence of orthorhombic symmetry of CZTS has been gathered from HR-TEM, electron diffraction and Raman spectroscopy techniques. CZTS showed band gap of 1.47 eV as estimated from UV–visible spectroscopy measurements.