Synthesis of CuFeS2 Nanoparticles by One-pot Facile Method

Monodisperse copper-iron-sulfide (CuFeS2) nanoparticles as the infrared light absorbing material (chalcopyrite, 0.65 eV), were synthesized based on facile, one step heating up method, by dissolving of CuCl, FeCl3 and SC(NH2)2 as precursors in oleylamine (OLA) alone or in combination with oleic acid (OA) and 1-octadecene (ODE) as solvent. The phase, size, morphology, and size distribution were controlled by the reaction conditions and temperature. The CuFeS2 nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectrum and ultraviolet-visible-near infrared. The three main absorbance region was observed in the ultraviolet, visible and infrared as a hybridization of Fe 3d-S 3p among the valence band (Cu 3d-S 3p) and conduction band (Cu 4s-Fe 4s). Well controlled CuFeS2 triangular pyramidal along with semi-hexagonal and hexagonal shape (~ 20-25 nm) was obtained by using OLA or a mixture of OLA along with OA and ODE, respectively, with 210 °C heating up and 4 h annealing time.