The crystal structure of diamagnetic borate chloride Sn 2 B 5 O 9 Cl exhibits two crystallographically independent tin sites which both show pronounced lone-pair activity of the tin atoms. This is reflected in substantial quadrupole splitting in the 119 Sn Mössbauer spectrum. The isomer shifts of 3.887(8) and 4.137(7) mm s −1 clearly indicate divalent tin. In agreement with bond valence calculations, the Sn1 atoms have a lower charge and the higher isomer shift, compatible with a higher electron density at the tin nuclei.
Molecular solution with the metal-thiourea complex is a facile and effective route for Cu 2 SnS 3 (CTS) thin film deposition . However, its stability is still challenging due to flexible metal salts precursors. Here we report a strategy to enhance the stability of the Cu–Sn–S molecular solution that use bivalent Sn to suppress the oxidation of the S 2- of thiourea via the redox reaction . The self-stabilizing mechanism has been carefully revealed by the systematic experiments and confirmed by the spontaneous reaction process of metal-thiourea system. It demonstrates that Sn with a low valence state weakens the transfer of lone pair electrons from thiourea to Cu 2+ and Sn 4+ ions, alleviating the sulfur precipitates from thiourea oxidation because of the easily reducible character of Sn 2+ ion. The solution with Sn 2+ antioxidant additive can be stored for a long time under air ambient, which is then spin-coated and sulfurized with Sn powder compensation. The uniform CTS thin film with composition control is finally achieved and delivers a device efficiency of 1.15%. This work provides a guide on stabilizing the solution precursor for chalcogenide thin film deposition.