A new family of wurtzite-phase Cu2ZnAS4-x and CuZn2AS4 (A = Al, Ga, In) nanocrystals for solar energy conversion applications.

ABSTRACT

A new family of quaternary semiconductors Cu2ZnAS4-x and CuZn2AS4 (A = Al, Ga, In) has been synthesized in the form of wurtzite phase nanocrystals for the first time. The nanocrystals can be converted to the stannite phase via thermal annealing under a N2 atmosphere. A direct band gap in the visible wavelength region combined with a high absorption cross-section makes these materials promising for solar energy conversion applications.