One-step synthesis of high quality kesterite Cu2ZnSnS4 nanocrystals - a hydrothermal approach.The present work demonstrates a systematic approach for the synthesis of pure kesterite-phase Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) nanocrystals with a uniform size distribution by a one-step, thioglycolic acid (TGA)-assisted hydrothermal route.  It has been found that TGA interacted with Cu(2+) to form Cu(+) at the initial reaction stage and controlled the crystal-growth of CZTS nanocrystals during the hydrothermal reaction.  CZTS was formed by the diffusion of Zn(2+) and Sn(4+) cations to the lattice of Cu2- x S during the hydrothermal reaction. 
THERM