Mechanism of CuInSe2 nanorod formation: Cu2−xSe phase conversion induced by indium intercalated route

Abstract

Chalcopyrite CuInSe2 nanorods have been prepared by using as-prepared Cu2−xSe nanorods as a precursor reacted with indium chloride via a solvothermal approach. Cu2−xSe nanorods with a diameter of about 300–500 nm, were prepared by reacting copper(I) chloride with Selenium powder and hydrazine hydrate in a mixture of NaOH and KOH. The morphology of CuInSe2 was similar to that of the precursor Cu2−xSe. A possible formation mechanism of the CuInSe2 nanorods is proposed in this work. Phase conversion is believed to occur within the In3+ intercalated Cu2−xSe:In during the reaction and lead to the formation of chalcopyrite phase CuInSe2 nanorods. The structure, morphology and composition of the samples were characterized using an X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, an energy dispersive X-ray spectroscope and scanning electron microscopy.