Abstract: Synthesis of Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) in molten CdI2 for solar cell absorber layer in monograin powder form is studied. The aim is to understand the chemical reactions and to describe the conditions for the synthesis of CZTS starting from binary compound precursors. It is found that the formation of Cu2ZnSnS4 proceeds mainly in the liquid phase of CdI2 where CdS and Zn1-xCdxS form and initiate the formation of Cu2Zn1-xCdxSnS4. The formed phases in the mixtures of CdI2 with precursor compounds detected by XRD and Raman analyses are presented. The formation enthalpy for Cu2SnS3 and Cu2ZnSnS4 are13±2kJmol-1 and 8±2 kJmol-1 respectively.

Keywords: Cu2ZnSnS4, Cu2Zn1-xCdxSnS4, Monograin powder, Enthalpies.