Author : Kasim Ibrahim Mohammed, Kasim Uthman Isah, Uno Esang Uno, Abdullahi Mann and Nafarizal Nayan

Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) films were synthesised using hydrothermal method, while varying the reaction duration from 12 h to 48 h in steps of 12 h. The XRD reveal characteristic peaks of CZTS (112) and (220) for the samples 150_24, 150_36 and 150_48 and in addition (200) and (312) peaks for samples 150_36 and 150_48. The average crystallite sizes range between 18.00 and 19.00 nm. Raman spectra of the films reveal CZTS peaks of 338, 351 and 252 cm-1, in addition to secondary and ternary phases observed for samples other than 24 h. SEM image show spherical nanoparticles and agglomerated nanosphere-like shapes. The Cu: Zn: Sn: S atom ratios were close to stoichiometry at 24 h and 36 h hydrothermal synthesis duration. There is significant deviation from stoichiometry at other durations. The average surface roughness was between 800 and 2000 nm. The bandgap energy obtained from the optical characterisation varied between 1.52 eV and 1.51 eV.

Keywords: Cu2ZnSnS4, Hydrothermal, Reaction Duration, Thin film, Nanoparticles

Article published in International Journal of Current Engineering and Technology, Vol.9, No.5 (Sept/Oct 2019)