ABSTRACT Solution processing is widely utilized for synthesizing chalcogenide semiconductors, which have found applications in various fields. Although numerous solution chemistries have been developed over the years, no single chemistry has demonstrated the ability to dissolve metal precursors from across the entire periodic table. Furthermore, unavailability of dissolved metal precursors directly limits the ability to synthesize chalcogenide films and nanoparticles. In this work, we explore amine─CS 2 chemistry, where amines can be varied from propylamine and butylamine to ethylenediamine, with a buffer solvent (e.g., dimethyl sulfoxide or pyridine) added to the amine─CS 2 mixture. These combinations of amines and buffer solvents have facilitated reactions with a broad range of metal precursors from across the periodic table, demonstrate the largest solubility of any published solution system, and have been used to synthesize diverse metal chalcogenides.
Agarwal et al. (Wed,) studied this question.