Nanocrystalline CuInS2 and CuInSe2 via low-temperature pyrolysis of single-source molecular precursors

Nanometer sized particles of the chalcopyrite compounds CuInS2 and CuInSe2 were synthesized by thermal decomposition of the molecular single-source precursors (PPh3)(2)CuIn(SEt)(4) and (PPh3)(2)CuIn(SePh)(4), respectively, in a non-coordinating solvent at temperatures below 300 degreesC. The nanoparticles range in size from 3 - 30 nm and are aggregated to form roughly spherical clusters of about 500 nm in diameter and can be de-aggregated by capping with thiolated ligands. The nanoparticles are characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, scanning and tunneling electron microscopies, and optical spectroscopy.