Abstract
This dissertation aims to develop several approaches for facile synthesis and applications of copper chalcogenide nanostructures. The scope of copper chalcogenides discussed in this dissertation are CuInS2, CuInSe2, Cu(In,Ga)S2, Cu(In,Ga)Se2 and Cu2(Zn,Sn)S4. In addition, this dissertation is constructed into two main parts. Each part can be further divided into zero dimensional and one dimensional nanostructures. Part I : Facile methodology for preparing copper chalcogenides nanostructures. Part II : Applications developed as examples by prepared copper chalcogenides nanostructures in part I. In chapter 1, we briefly introduce the development of copper chalcogenides and how versatile of it to influence the modern thin film photovoltaic devices. Chapter 2 will scheme an overview of experiment procedures and apparatus to conduct all the works throughout this dissertation. The facile approach proposed for synthesis CuInS2, CuInSe2, and Cu2(Zn,Sn)S4 zero dimensional nanocrystals and methodologies for hybridization noble metal domains on to CuInS2 by utilize only one surfactant were discussed in chapter 3. Chapter 4 emphasizes a facile methodology to create one dimensional nanotips of CuInS2, CuInSe2, Cu(In,Ga)S2 and Cu(In,Ga)Se2 by one step, template-free ion sputtering process. Both the applications of zero dimensional and one dimensional copper chalcogenide nanostructures are demonstrated as antireflectance, photo-thermal energy conversion, photovoltaic and photodetector in chapter 5 followed by the contributions and outlooks of this dissertation will be concluded in chapter 6.