Scalable heating-up synthesis of monodisperse Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals

Monodisperse Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals, with quasi-spherical shape, were prepared by a facile, high yield, scalable and high concentration heating-up procedure. The key parameters to minimize the nanocrystal size distribution were efficient mixing and heat transfer in the reaction mixture through intensive argon bubbling and improved control of the heating ramp stability. Optimized synthetic conditions allowed the production of several grams of highly monodisperse CZTS nanocrystals per batch, with up to 5wt% concentration in a crude solution and a yield above 90 %.