Semi-industrial Green Mechanochemical Syntheses of Solar Cell Absorbers Based on Quaternary Sulfides

Abstract

Stannite Cu2FeSnS4 and kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 were synthesized by an eco-friendly ball-milling method in an industrial mill. Both synthesized sulfides represent perspective materials in solar cell technology. Several characterization methods have been applied to determine the course of solid state mechanochemical reactions leading to the synthesis of potential chalcogenide solar cell absorbers. The phase and surface composition, solid state kinetics, and surface morphology of these quaternary sulfides were elucidated by the methods of X-ray diffractometry, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Soxhlet analysis, and scanning electron microscopy. The application of eccentric vibration mills for these syntheses constitutes the big challenge for researchers in the field of photovoltaics in their permanent effort in scaling up new materials and processes.

Mechanochemical Synthesis and Characterization of CuInS2/ZnS Nanocrystals

“…The solid state approach via mechanochemistry can be realized through simple solvent-free technology. Moreover, the mechanochemical approach is reproducible, ensuring high yield, easy to operate and very important point is scale up, as was shown in several latest papers describing the preparation of similar materials in semi-industrial scale [35,36,37]. In the next part, the structural, surface and optical properties of mechanochemically synthesized CuInS 2 /ZnS nanocrystals are described.…”

Photovoltaic materials: Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals synthesized via industrially scalable, green, one‐step mechanochemical process

“…The latter approach is in line with the recent tendencies in solid‐state synthesis to study reactivity of nanosized compounds To apply an industrial mill for the syntheses of CZTS in which the amount of product can be principally scaled from hundred grams up to kilograms …”

“…To apply an industrial mill for the syntheses of CZTS in which the amount of product can be principally scaled from hundred grams up to kilograms. 32 2 | MATERIALS AND METHODS…”

Comparative Study of Nanostructured CuSe Semiconductor Synthesized in a Planetary and Vibratory Mill

“…Several metal selenides, together with binary and ternary copper sulfides were mechanochemically synthesized using a scalable eccentric vibratory mill, and in the case of CuS commercial production was also verified [ 26 , 27 , 28 , 29 , 30 , 31 , 32 ]. Different types of mill, producing a different nature and intensity of mechanical energy, which is applied to the mechanochemical synthesis, can determine its course, and the formation of centers responsible for a solid-state reaction [ 33 ].…”