Doughnut-shaped hierarchical Cu2ZnSnS4 microparticles synthesized by cyclic microwave irradiation

For the first time, hierarchical doughnut-shaped Cu₂ZnSnS₄ (CZTS) microparticles were synthesized by microwave-assisted solution method. N,N-dimethylformamide and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) were used as solvent and stabilizing agent respectively, and the results showed that PVP played an important role in the formation of hierarchical nanostructures. Structural analysis by X-ray diffraction and Raman studies confirmed the formation of single phase kesterite CZTS. Morphological analysis by scanning electron microscope showed doughnut-shaped CZTS microparticles composed of large number of interpenetrating nanoplates. Optical analysis by UV–Vis diffused reflectance spectra showed strong absorption in the visible region with an optical band gap of 1.54 eV. Asymmetric broad emission bands around 1.55 eV and 1.30 eV were observed in the photoluminescence spectrum. A possible formation mechanism for doughnut-shaped CZTS microparticles was put forward and discussed briefly.