Synthesis of AgBiSe2 via a facile low temperature aqueous solution route for enhanced photoelectric properties devices

Abstract

Silver dimetal chalcogenides ternary semiconductors are commonly obtained by complex and difficult synthetic process, such as high temperatures (~1100 K), long reaction times and mixture heterogeneity involving solid phases. Here, we present a facile aqueous synthesis route for the preparation of AgBiSe2 nanoparticles at low temperature (~373 K). The as-synthesized AgBiSe2 nanoparticles possess narrow size distribution (ca. 80 nm) and excellent light absorbance across the entire UV/Vis region. More important, AgBiSe2-based devices exhibit a reduced resistance of 0.53 ​Ω*m and markedly 50% improved absorption efficiency under monochromatic light after heating treatment. These results may potentially be extended for the preparation of other ternary semiconductors.