Direct synthesis of nanostructured silver antimony sulfide powders from metal xanthate precursors

Abstract Silver(I) ethylxanthate [AgS 2 COEt] ( 1 ) and antimony(III) [Sb(S COEt) 3 ] have been synthesised, characterised used as precursors for the preparation of AgSbS powders thin films using a solvent-free melt method spin coating technique, respectively. The as-synthesized were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) energy dispersive (EDX) spectroscopy. crystalline was investigated XRD, which shows that has cuboargyrite dominant phase, also confirmed SEM to study morphology resulting material is potentially nanostructured. EDX spectra gives clear indication presence silver (Ag), antimony (Sb) sulfur (S) in material, suggesting decomposition clean produces high quality powder, consistent with XRD data. Electronic properties deposited show p-type conductivity measured carrier mobility 81 cm V ?1 s concentration 1.9 × 10 15 ?3 . findings this reveal new bottom-up route these compounds, potential application absorber layers solar cells.