Chemistry:Kesterite
| Kësterite | |
|---|---|
 | |
| General | |
| Category | Sulfide mineral |
| Formula (repeating unit) | Cu2(Zn,Fe)SnS4 |
| Strunz classification | 2.CB.15a |
| Crystal system | Tetragonal |
| Crystal class | Disphenoidal (4) H-M symbol: (4) |
| Space group | I4 |
| Unit cell | a = 5.427, c = 10.871 [Å]; Z = 2 |
| Identification | |
| Color | Greenish black |
| Crystal habit | Massive, pseudocubic |
| Cleavage | None |
| Mohs scale hardness | 4.5 |
| |re|er}} | Metallic |
| Streak | Black |
| Diaphaneity | Opaque |
| Specific gravity | 4.54–4.59 (meas.); 4.524 (calc.) |
| References | [1][2][3] |
Kësterite is a sulfide mineral with a chemical formula of Cu
2(Zn,Fe)SnS
4. In its lattice structure, zinc and iron atoms share the same lattice sites. Kesterite is the zinc-rich variety whereas the zinc-poor form is called ferrokesterite or stannite. Owing to their similarity, kesterite is sometimes called isostannite.[5] The synthetic form of kesterite is abbreviated as CZTS (from copper-zinc-tin sulfide). The name kesterite is sometimes extended to include this synthetic material and also CZTSe, which contains selenium instead of sulfur.[6][7] Along with perovskite, recent advances have made kesterite promising materials for solar panels.
Occurrence
Kesterite was first described in 1958 in regard to an occurrence in the Kester deposit and the associated locality in Ynnakh Mountain, Yana basin, Yakutia, Russia, where it was discovered.[1][2][3]
It is usually found in quartz-sulfide hydrothermal veins associated with tin ore deposits.[1] Associated minerals include arsenopyrite, stannoidite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, sphalerite and tennantite.[3]
Stannite and kesterite occur together in the Ivittuut cryolite deposit of southern Greenland. Solid solutions form between Cu2FeSnS4 and Cu2ZnSnS4 at temperatures above 680 °C. This accounts for the exsolved kesterite in stannite found in the cryolite.[8]
Use
Kesterite-like substances are being researched as a solar photovoltaic material.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Kesterite. Webmineral
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Kesterite. Mindat.org
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Kesterite. Handbook of Mineralogy
- ↑ Warr, Laurence N. (2021). "IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols". Mineralogical Magazine 85 (3): 291–320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43. Bibcode: 2021MinM...85..291W.
- ↑ Pracejus, Bernhard (2008). The ore minerals under the microscope: an optical guide. Elsevier. pp. 214–215. ISBN 978-0-444-52863-6. https://books.google.com/books?id=qOgvXBjecmQC&pg=PA214.
- ↑ Rau, Uwe; Abou-Ras, Daniel; Kirchartz, Thomas (2011). Advanced Characterization Techniques for Thin Film Solar Cells. John Wiley & Sons. p. 351. ISBN 978-3-527-63629-7. https://books.google.com/books?id=AyZ3lF_AHQAC&pg=PA351.
- ↑ Repins, Ingrid; Vora, Nirav; Beall, Carolyn; Wei, Su-Huai; Yan, Yanfa; Romero, Manuel; Teeter, Glenn; Du, Hui et al. (2011). "Kesterites and Chalcopyrites: A Comparison of Close Cousins; Preprint" (in English). 2011 Materials Research Society Spring Meeting. National Laboratory of the Rockies. doi:10.1557/opl.2011.844. https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1015886.
- ↑ Karup-Møller, Sven; Pauly, Hans (1979). Galena and associated ore minerals from the cryolite at Ivigtut, South Greenland. Greenland geoscience. Copenhagen: Nyt Nordisk Forlag. pp. 8–9. ISBN 978-87-17-02582-0.
- ↑ Peplow, Mark (12 February 2018). Kesterite solar cells get ready to shine. 96. pp. 15–18. https://cen.acs.org/articles/96/i7/Kesterite-solar-cells-ready-shine.html.
 |  |
