Synthesis of $Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ compound by solid state reaction using elemental powders

Commercially available elemental powders of Cu, Zn, Sn and Se were employed for crystallizing a stannite-type $Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ compound by means of solid state reaction. $Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ reaction chemistry was also modeled based on differential-thermal analysis and X-ray powder diffraction results. It was observed that Se tends to react preferably with Cu to form CuSe and $CuSe_2$ phases at low reaction temperature. The formation of $Cu_5Zn_8$ intermetallic phase was found to be the intermediate reaction path for the binary ZnSe formation. A solid state reaction at $320^{\circ}C$ reacted elemental powderst obinary selenides of CuSe, ZnSe and SnSe completely. The crystallization of $Cu_2ZnSnSe_4$ was was detected to begin at $300^{\circ}C$ and its weight fraction increased with an increase of reaction temperature, which most probably formed from the reaction between $Cu_2SnSe_3$ and ZnSe.