Preparation and Thermal Stability Characterization of Copper Tin Selenide Semiconductor Nanoparticles

Copper tin selenide (Cu2SnSe3) nanoparticle powders were successfully synthesized via chemical precipitation method at room temperature. Elemental composition analysis determined byenergy dispersive X-ray confirmed that the Cu2SnSe3 nanoparticles were successfully formed. Field emission scanning electron and transmission electron micrograph showed the presence of homogeneous distribution of the small spherical nanoparticles in the Cu2SnSe3 powders. The thermal stability of the Cu2SnSe3 structure has been investigated by X-ray diffraction at temperatures ranging from 100 to 523 K. Differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis have been conducted to evaluate the thermal stability and it is found that the maximum temperature of the Cu2SnSe3 nanoparticles can withstand until 600 K. The results show that Cu2SnSe3 nanoparticles exhibited a stable structure at temperature range of 100 – 523 K.