A colloidal synthesis of CuInSe2, CuGaSe2 and CuIn1-xGaxSe2 nanoparticles from diisopropyldiselenophosphinatometal precursors

CuInSe2, CuGaSe2 and CuIn(1-x)GaxSe2 (CIGS) nanoparticles were synthesised from the diisopropyldiselenophosphinatometal complexes M-x[(Pr2PSe2)-Pr-i](n) (M = Cu(I), In(III), Ga(III); n = 1, 3) by thermal decomposition of the precursors in HDA/TOP at 120-210 degrees C or 250 degrees C. The semiconductor nanoparticles obtained were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (p-XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) analysis. The diameters of the nanoparticles for CuInSe2, CuGaSe2 and CuIn0.7Ga0.3Se2 were found to be 4.9 +/- 0.6 nm (at 180 degrees C), 13.5 +/- 2.9 nm (at 250 degrees C) and 14 +/- 2.22 nm (at 250 degrees C) respectively. The p-XRD patterns for the nanoparticulate samples were assigned to the corresponding ICDD patterns for tetragonal chalcopyrite phase.