Structural and Optical Characterisation of CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4)/Ag Nanocomposite Using Hydrothermal Synthesis

Abstract

Cu, ZnSnS, (CZTS) powders were synthesized via hydrothermal process to grow silver (Ag) nanoparticles onto CZTS at different weight percentage of Ag (0.025 wt%, 0.05 wt% and 0.075 wt%). The obtained samples were characterized using X-ray diffractometry (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), UV-visible spectroscopy (UV-Vis) and Raman Spectroscopy. It was observed that the presence of Ag enhanced the optical properties of CZTS with increasing concentration of the Ag. The XRD showed the presence of mixed amorphous and crystalline nature, having short range periodicity of mixed ternary and quaternary phases of CuZnS or CZTS materials. The SEM images shows that the thin films were composed of several intersectional spherical shaped particles. It was observed that there is an increase in Ag content, and a decrease in Cu content when the ratio increases from 0 to 0.075 wt% and could be used in its application as a photocatalyst.