Selenium/group 1b/group 3a ink and methods of making and using same

A selenium/Group 1b/Group 3a ink, comprising:

• (a) a selenium/Group 1b/Group 3a system which comprises a combination of, as initial components:
• a selenium;
• an organic chalcogenide component:
• comprising at least one organic chalcogenide having a formula selected from RZ—Z′R′ and R2—SH;
• wherein Z and Z′ are independently selected from the group consisting of sulfur, selenium and tellurium;
• wherein R is selected from the group consisting of H, C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 hydroxyalkyl group, a C1-20 mercaptoalkyl group and an ether group;
• wherein R′ and R2 are selected from the group consisting of a C1-20 alkyl group, a C6-20 aryl group, a C1-20 hydroxyalkyl group, a C1-20 mercaptoalkyl group and an ether group;
• a Group 1b containing substance comprising, as an initial component, at least one of CuCl2 and Cu2O;
• a bidentate thiol component, wherein the bidentate thiol component is selected from the group consisting of 1,2-dimercaptoethane;
• 1,3-dimercaptopropane;
• beta-mercaptoethanol and dimercaptol;
• a Group 3a containing substance comprising, as an initial component:
• a Group 3a material selected from the group consisting of aluminum, indium, gallium and combinations thereof;
• and,
• (b) a liquid carrier component;
• wherein the selenium/Group 1b/Group 3a system is stably dispersed in the liquid carrier component.