Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 by mechanical alloying method for thermoelectric application

Abstract

Quaternary chalcogenide Cu2ZnSnS4 is a potential candidate for thermoelectric (TE) application due to a number of advantages including containing only non-toxic and abundant elements, high Seebeck coefficient and low thermal conductivity. In this study, Cu2ZnSnS4 was synthesized using mechanical alloying method from Cu, Zn, Sn and S powders. In order to study the effect of milling duration on the formation of Cu2ZnSnS4, different milling duration of 2, 4, 12 and 16 h were carried out. As the results, Cu2ZnSnS4 wasstarted to form after milling for 12 h. The formation of Cu2ZnSnS4 was completed after 16 h of milling. In addition, Cu2ZnSnS4 nanoparticles were obtained after 16 h of milling with the particle distribution mostly in the range of 50-60 nm.