Well-Aligned Quaternary Cu2CoSnS4Single-Crystalline Nanowires as a Potential Low-Cost Solar Cell Material

Quaternary semiconductor Cu2CoSnS4 single-crystalline nanowires arrays have been prepared through a solvothermal synthetic route by using anodic aluminum oxide as a hard template. The as-prepared Cu2CoSnS4 nanowires are uniform with a [112] growth direction. An optimal solvent of diethylenetriamine is critical for the formation of single-crystalline Cu2CoSnS4 nanowires. The structure, morphology, composition, and optical absorption properties of the as-prepared Cu2CoSnS4 nanowires were characterized by using X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and UV/Vis spectroscopy. A thin film prepared from Cu2CoSnS4 single-crystalline nanowires displayed a clear photoelectric response, which suggested its potential application in photovoltaic devices.