Shape-Controlled Synthesis of Ternary Chalcogenide ZnIn2S4 and CuIn(S,Se)2 Nano-/Microstructures via Facile Solution Route

Abstract

We demonstrated in this paper the shape-controlled synthesis of ZnIn₂S₄, CuInS₂, and CuInSe₂ nano- and microstructures through a facile solution-based route. One-dimensional ZnIn₂S₄ nanotubes and nanoribbons were synthesized by a solvothermal method with pyridine as the solvent, while ZnIn₂S₄ solid or hollow microspheres were hydrothermally prepared in the presence of a surfactant such as cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) or poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG). The mechanisms related to the phase formation and morphology control of ZnIn₂S₄ are proposed and discussed. The UV−vis absorption spectra show that the as-prepared nano- and micromaterials have strong absorption in a wide range from UV to visible light and that their band gaps are somewhat relevant to the size and morphology. The photoluminescence measurements of the ZnIn₂S₄ microspheres at room temperature reveal intense excitation at ∼575 nm and red emission at ∼784 nm. Furthermore, CuInS₂ and CuInSe₂ with different morphologies such as spheres, platelets, rods, and fishbonelike shapes were also obtained by similar hydrothermal and solvothermal synthesis.