Study of the properties of CuInSe2 materials prepared from nanoparticle powder

This work studies the properties of CuInSe2 (CIS) thin films obtained from nanoparticle powder. The samples were prepared by direct thermal evaporation of ball milled powder from a tungsten crucible onto precleaned glass substrates, using a BALZERS coating unit. The as deposited films were annealed in a vacuum at different temperatures. The composition, structure, morphology and optical properties of these samples have been investigated. X-ray diffraction (XRD) results showed that the CuInSe2 phase may be prepared by mechanical alloying method. The crystallites of the CIS powder were found to be partially copper-rich. The as-deposited film was polycrystalline in nature having chalcopyrite structure as a mainly phase. The surface morphology is homogeneous across the surface. Expected optical properties (Eg=1.04 eV, alpha approximate to 10(4) cm(-1)) and near stoichiometric composition (Cu: 23.62 at.%, In: 24.35 at.% and Se: 52.03 at.%) were determined. (C) 2008 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.