Abstract

The synthesis and characterization of nanocrystalline Cu- and Li-based quaternary sulfide semiconductors.

Simmons, Cheyenne L.; Brant, Jacilynn A.; Aitken, Jennifer A. Duquesne University Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Abstract:

The purpose of this project was to recreate Cu₂CoSnS₄ nanoparticles, which was reported in a paper published by Changhua An, et al. We have also tried to make new nanoparticles with the general formula Li₂MSnS₄ where M = Co, Fe, etc. After we synthesized the nanoparticles we analyzed them using the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) along with the Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS). With the Scanning Electron Microscope, we characterized the size and shape of our particles. We used Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy to determine the composition and formulae of the new nanoparticles to see if the intended elements were incorporated into the nanoparticles. To further characterize, we used X-ray powder diffraction to identify the structures of our crystals we made, and UV-Vis-NIR Spectroscopy to determine the band gaps.