# US 8,784,701 B2 · Preparation of nanoparticle material

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- Number: US 8,784,701 B2
- Document ID: US8784701B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 12/324,354
- Filed: 2008-11-26
- Published: 2009-06-04
- Granted: 2014-07-22
- Earliest claimed: 2007-11-30
- Assignees: Nanoco Technologies Ltd.
- Applicants: Nigel Pickett; James Harris
- Inventors: Nigel Pickett; James Harris
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US8784701B2

## CPC

- H01B 1/02: mainly consisting of metals or alloys
- B82Y 30/00: Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
- C09D 11/037: characterised by the pigment
- C09D 11/52: Electrically conductive inks
- H10F 10/16: Photovoltaic cells having only PN heterojunction potential barriers
- H10F 71/00: Manufacture or treatment of devices covered by this subclass (patterning processes to connect thin photovoltaic cells in integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells H10F19/33; manufacture or treatment of encapsulations or containers for integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, having photovoltaic cells H10F19/80; manufacture or treatment of integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one element in which radiation controls the flow of current H10F39/00)
- H10F 71/128: {Annealing}
- H10F 77/126: {comprising only Group I-III-VI chalcopyrite materials, e.g. CuInSe2, CuGaSe2 or CuInGaSe2 [CIGS]}
- H10F 77/14: Shape of semiconductor bodies; Shapes, relative sizes or dispositions of semiconductor regions within semiconductor bodies
- Y02E 10/541: CuInSe2 material PV cells
- Y02P 70/50: Manufacturing or production processes characterised by the final manufactured product
- H01B: CABLES; CONDUCTORS; INSULATORS; SELECTION OF MATERIALS FOR THEIR CONDUCTIVE, INSULATING OR DIELECTRIC PROPERTIES (selection for magnetic properties H01F1/00; waveguides H01P {; printed circuits H05K})
- B82Y: SPECIFIC USES OR APPLICATIONS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MEASUREMENT OR ANALYSIS OF NANOSTRUCTURES; MANUFACTURE OR TREATMENT OF NANOSTRUCTURES
- C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D)
- H10F: INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02P: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES IN THE PRODUCTION OR PROCESSING OF GOODS

## Abstract

A process for producing nanoparticles incorporating ions selected from groups 13, 16, and 11 or 12 of the periodic table, and materials produced by the process. In an embodiment, the process includes effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising group 13, 16, and 11 or 12 ions to the material of the nanoparticles in the presence of a selenol compound. Other embodiments include a process for fabricating a thin film including nanoparticles incorporating ions selected from groups 13, 16, and 11 or 12 of the periodic table as well as a process for producing a printable ink formulation including the nanoparticles.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A process for producing nanoparticles represented by the formula:
AB1-xB′xSe2-yCy
where
A is Cu;
B and B′ are each independently selected from the group consisting of In and Ga;
C is selected from the group consisting of S and Te;
x is greater than or equal to 0 and less than or equal to 1;
y is greater than or equal to 0 and less than 2;
subject to the proviso that where x is greater than 0, B′ is not equal to B, the process comprising:
effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising A and B ions, and optionally B′ ions; wherein the conversion is effected in the presence of a selenol compound having the formula R—SeH, wherein R is a substituted or unsubstituted organic compound wherein the R of the selenol compound is incorporated into the nanoparticles as a capping agent.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein the selenol compound is 1-octane selenol or 1-dodecane selenol.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein said selenol compound is volatile.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein the process further comprises dispersing at least a first portion of the nanoparticle precursor composition in a solvent.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein the nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of CuInSe2; CuInxGa1-xSe2; CuGaSe2; CuInSe2-ySy; CuInxGa1-xSe2-ySy; and CuGaSe2-ySy; ySy.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A process according to claim 1, wherein Se from the selenol compound is incorporated into the nanoparticles.