This work demonstrates that the solvothermal synthesis of nanocrystalline CuInS₂ thin films using the amino acid l-cysteine as sulfur source is facile and robust against variation of reaction time and temperature. Synthesis was carried out in a reaction time range of 3⁻48 h (at 150 °C) and a reaction temperature range of 100⁻190 °C (for 18 h). It was found that at least a time of 6 h and a temperature of 140 °C is needed to produce pure nanocrystalline CuInS₂ thin films as proven by X-ray and electron diffraction, high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Using UV-vis spectroscopy, a good absorption behavior as well as direct band gaps between 1.46 and 1.55 eV have been determined for all grown films. Only for a reaction time of 3 h and temperatures below 140 °C CuInS₂ is not formed. This is attributed to the formation of metal ion complexes with l-cysteine and the overall slow assembly of CuInS₂. This study reveals that the reaction parameters can be chosen relatively free; the reaction is completely nontoxic and precursors and solvents are rather cheap, which makes this synthesis route interesting for industrial up scaling.
Keywords: CuInS2; TEM; solvothermal synthesis.