Preparation of CuAlTe2 Thin Films by Auto-Combustion

Abstract CuAlTe2 films have been fabricated using a novel technique called auto combustion or self-propagating high-temperature synthesis (SHS) through thermal evaporation. This process involved depositing the films onto a mixture of Cu, Al, and Te powder that was cold-pressed. The as-grown films exhibited a chalcopyrite structure with a preferred orientation along the (112) direction, and their lattice constants were determined to be: a=6.058 Å and c=11.98 Å. SEM analysis revealed that the resulting thin films had a nano-structured morphology. Additionally, a direct band-gap value of 2.08 eV was observed.