Cu2SnSe3 and alloyed (ZnSe)x(Cu2SnSe3)1-x nanocrystals with a metastable zincblende and wurtzite structure

Cu2SnSe3 nanocrystals with a metastable zincblende and wurtzite structure have been successfully synthesized. The crystal structures were confirmed by means of X-ray diffraction and selected area electron diffraction. The lattice mismatch between Cu2SnSe3 and ZnSe is only 0.26%, thus homogeneously alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(Cu2SnSe3)(1-x) nanocrystals could be synthesized. The band gaps of nanocrystals can be tuned in a wide range of 2.75 to 0.92 eV; however the bowing parameter as high as 19.1 eV for alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(Cu2SnSe3)(1-x) nanocrystals was observed. These low cost and dispersible alloyed (ZnSe)(x)(Cu2SnSe3)(1-x) nanocrystals with a targeted band gap have a high potential in thin film solar cells. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.