Efficient visible-light-driven water splitting performance of sulfidation-free, solution processed Cu2MgSnS4 thin films: Role of post-drying temperature

Physical properties of Cu2MgSnS4 thin films prepared by chemical spray pyrolysis technique: The effect of thiourea concentration

“…The strongest peak for all patterns is found at ~ 28.54 o , which is referred to the (112) plane. The XRD results at this direction are depicted in Table (1). The intensity of all peaks increases as the ratio of thiourea increases.…”

“…XRD patterns of Cu 2 MgSnS 4 (CMTS) thin films deposited at different thiourea concentrations of 0.14, 0.16, 0.18, 0.20, 0.22, and 0.24 M are shown in figure (1). Five clear diffraction peaks appeared in the XRD patterns of the films deposited at thiourea concentrations of 0.18 M and 0.20 M at 2θ ~ 18.28 o , 28.54 o , 32.9 o , 47.43 o and 56.18 o which correspond to the (002), (112), (200), ( 220) and (312) planes respectively which match well with the data of JCPDS card number (98-017-1983) confirming the formation of tetragonal structure and distinguished by high crystallinity from the rest of the films.…”

“…The highest crystallite size was 8.78 nm for the sample deposited at thiourea concentration of 0.20 M. This concentration worked as a catalyst for crystal development, which in turn decreased the stress in lattice brought on by the nanosize effect. The crystallite size values are displayed in Table (1). The size of the crystallites increases with the increase in the concentration of thiourea until the thiourea concentration reaches 0.2 M, then the size of the crystallites decreases with the increase in the concentration of thiourea.…”

“…The spectra showed that they have a single broad peak at ~ 330 cm -1 . The broadening of this peak in solid solutions can be attributed to the disturbing effects related to the positions of the metal and sulfur atoms in the tetragonal lattice due to chemical substitutions at the crystalline positions [1,10]. This peak varies in intensity radiation from one sample to another.…”

“…To deal with it, mostly we rely upon the energy resources like coal and petroleum. Thus the rapid growth in population, energy issues, and deterioration of environment has evolved as the main test for us [1]. The use of the fossil fuels has produced serious environmental concerns by emitting CO 2 upon combustion leading to a greenhouse effect.…”