CZTS nanoparticles by one-pot sonochemical route – Effect of power density, pH and bath temperature

CZTS (Cu2ZnSnS4)-based Nanomaterials in Photocatalytic and Hydrogen Production Applications: A Recent Progress towards Sustainable Environment

A variety of unique compounds have been examined to accommodate the current demand for useful multi-functional nanomaterials, copper-based quaternary CZTS semiconductors are one of them. Due to their special characteristic features like non-toxicity, cheap, and abundance, they have been recommended in recent literature for various applications. Apart from individual CZTS, different hetero-structures have also been prepared with different compounds which is well discussed and elaborated in this article. Additionally, their preparation methods, properties, and application viability have also been discussed comprehensively. The application of CZTS such as photocatalytic dye degradation and hydrogen evolution reaction has been elaborated on in this article identifying their benefits and challenges to give readers a thorough visualization. Apart from that, challenges reported in studies, a few approaches are also mentioned to possibly counter them.

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Sprayed Ag-Doped Quaternary Cu2MgSnS4 Thin Film for Antibacterial Application

In this work, the effects of silver doping with different Ag/(Ag + Cu) ratios (i.e., 2%, 5% and 10% at.% in the spray solution) on the structural, morphological, optical, electrical and antibacterial properties of Cu₂MgSnS₄ (CMTS) thin film grown by spray pyrolysis have been studied. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) and selected area electron diffraction (SAED) results have shown that the kesterite phase of CMTS thin films has a maximum crystallite size of about 19.60 nm for 5% Ag/(Ag + Cu). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images have shown spherical grain shapes. The transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and high-resolution TEM (HRTEM) microscopy observations confirmed the intrinsic reticular planes of CMTS thin film with (112) as a preferred orientation and interplanar spacing value of 3.1 Å. The optical properties showed high absorbance and an absorption coefficient of about 10⁴ cm^-1 in the visible region with an optical band gap energy of 1.51 eV. Impedance analysis spectroscopy demonstrated good electrical properties of the CMTS film obtained using 5% Ag/(Ag + Cu). The antibacterial activity of the undoped and Ag-doped particles of CMTS obtained using 5% Ag/(Ag + Cu) against different strains of pathogenic bacteria was tested using the agar well diffusion method. These results showed a significant antibacterial activity of the Ag-doped CMTS particle, which was much higher than the undoped CMTS particles. These experimental findings may open new practices for the Ag-doped CMTS compound, especially the one obtained using 5% Ag/(Ag + Cu), in antibacterial application.