Colloidal synthesis of monodisperse quaternary CuInSSe nanocrystals

Quaternary CuInSSe nanocrystals have been synthesized by a colloidal route using commercially available materials. Oleylamine is used as the solvent and capping agent. It is proved that the nanocrystals are alloyed nanocrystals rather than a mixture of CuInS2 and CuInSe2 nanocystals. Furthermore, their formation is regarded to involve the nucleation of CuS and the subsequent reaction between CuS nuclei and remaining precursors. It is also found that the composition and structure of the nanocrystals can be influenced significantly by the reaction temperatures and time.