Effect of 6 MeV electron irradiation on nano-Cu2ZnSnS4

Abstract

Microwave synthesized nano sized Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) powder was irradiated with 6 MeV electrons, to investigate stability under radiation. The structural, optical, vibrational and morphological properties were explored using X-ray diffraction, UV-Visible spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM).The irradiated sample shows significant change in properties when compared to the pristine sample. X ray peak broadening analysis has been used to estimate the crystallite size and lattice strain. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirms the transition of ordered kesterite to disordered kesterite phase after electron irradiation at electron fluence of 4 x10 15 e -/cm 2 . CZTS nano-particles having hierarchical flower like morphology starts agglomerating after electron irradiation as observed from SEM images. The sample did not amorphize upto the highest fluence 4 x 10 15 e -/cm 2 employed in this study.