Amorphous precursor compounds for CuInSe2 particles prepared by a microwave-enhanced aqueous synthesis and its electrophoretic deposition

Amorphous precursor compounds for CuInSe2 particles and films were prepared using a microwave enhanced method in aqueous solution. In this simple and rapid reaction, the precursor compounds were synthesized with uniform morphology and amorphous phase under microwave heating at 180 °C for 30 min and a pH value of 5. This amorphous compound was used as a precursor for the preparation of pure chalcopyrite CuInSe2 particles by a post reduction process. The post reduction processes were carried out in the presence of selenium powder in an Ar (2% H2–98% Ar) atmosphere at different temperatures (300 °C, 400 °C & 500 °C) for 3 h. We find that the pure chalcopyrite CuInSe2 particles prepared (at 500 °C) in this approach are suitable for the formation of uniform, crystalline and dense CuInSe2 thin films for further application in solar cells. Pure, porous and uniform CuInSe2 films were obtained using electrophoretic deposition techniques followed by annealing. The as-prepared amorphous precursor compounds and chalcopyrite CuInSe2 particles were characterized by XRD, SEM, EDX elemental analysis and ICP.