Quaternary Cu (InxGa1-x) Se2 Nanoparticles Synthesis Using Heating-up Method for Photovoltaic Applications

In this paper, tetragonal chalcopyrite (CIGS) Cu(InxGa1-x)Se2 with x=0, 0.5, 0.8, 1 are synthesized by heating-up method. These nanoparticle structures differ in morphology and absorption properties due to the synthesis temperatures of 250, 255, 260, 265, 270 and 280 ºC, and gallium molar ratio over the total gallium and indium contents. These features are studied using scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction and absorption spectroscopy in visible, ultra-violet and near-infrared wavelengths. Results indicate that by increasing gallium content, absorption edge rises toward the visible light. Any modification in the absorption edge changes the band gap and as a result the energy gap and the absorption of cell increases considerably. Also in the heating-up method, increasing the reaction temperature improves nanoparticles crystallites. This leads the absorption improvement and higher cells efficiency. Produced nanoparticles are spherical shape with are varying the diameter around 30-80 nm.