Abstract
CuGaS 2 nanostructures with different sizes, phases and morphologies were prepared. Chalcopyrite CuGaS 2 nanocrystals with sizes ranging from 3.0 to 10.9 nm were synthesized using GaCl 3 , CuCl, and elemental sulfur as the precursors at temperatures ranging from 180 to 240 °C in hot-solvent synthesis. The CuGaS 2 nanocrystals show size-dependent optical absorption and photoluminescence properties, exhibiting a quantum confinement effect. Wurtzite CuGaS 2 nanostructures could be synthesized by replacing elemental sulfur with thiourea as the S source. We find that the amount of oleylamine (OLA) significantly affects the morphologies of the CuGaS 2 nanostructures: CuGaS 2 nanowires tend to form while the amount of OLA in the reaction decreased. The growth mechanism of CuGaS 2 nanowires is proposed based on the experimental observation of morphology evolution from 130 to 240 °C. This journal is © the Partner Organisations 2014.