Development of Cu-based ternary nanocrystalline chalcogenides using mechanical alloying and their characterization

Synthesis of Cu₃SbS₄ nanocrystalline materials by mechanical alloying using elemental powders as the precursors is studied in this work. The elemental powders are mechanically alloyed for 40 h and the crystal structure is explored by X-Ray diffraction. The X-ray diffraction pattern demonstrates homogenous product with excellent crystalline Cu₃SbS₄ nanocrystals was synthesized using mechanical alloying. By employing high-resolution transmission electron microscopy to examine the powder particle size, distribution, and shape, the wurtzite structure of the Cu₃SbS₄ nanocrystals was discovered. The optical properties are determined by UV–Visible spectroscopy. HRTEM images reveal the size of the capped Cu₃SbS₄ nanocrystals ranges from 1.5 to 6.5 nm, with absorption peaks located between 889 and 987 nm. Detailed analysis of the nano-crystalline material revealed that the defects created during the mechanically alloyed method hinder its applications in photovoltaic applications, and additional processing should also be developed as economically produced Cu₃SbS₄ nanocrystalline materials have the potential for energy applications. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]