Synthesis of New Earth-abundant Kesterite Cu2MgSnS4 Nanoparticles by Hot-injection Method

Abstract

Abstract A new earth-abundant element material Cu2MgSnS4 was synthesized by hot-injection methods. X-ray diffraction, Raman spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy elucidated that as-prepared nanoparticles are Kesterite Cu2MgSnS4 without binary compounds coexisting. Scanning transmission electron microscopy–energy-dispersive spectroscopy element mapping shows the copper, magnesium, tin, and sulfur elements distributed uniformly in the nanoparticles. The result of the UV–vis absorption spectra revealed that the Cu2MgSnS4 nanoparticles have an optical band gap of 1.63 eV, which is suitable for application in the field of photovoltaic cells.