Synthesis and characterization of ZnSe rose-like nanoflowers and microspheres by the hydrothermal method

ZnSe rose-like nanoflowers and microspheres were successfully grown on Zn foils by the hydrothermal method at 220 °C for 36 h. Scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS), ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy were used to observe the morphologies, structures, chemical compositions and optical properties of the as-synthesized ZnSe samples. The XRD patterns revealed that as-synthesized ZnSe nanoflowers and microspheres have cubic zinc blende structure. The SEM observations showed that low concentration of EDTA was beneficial to obtain the ZnSe rose-like nanoflowers. With increase of EDTA concentration, the morphology of the as-synthesized samples transformed into microspheres. It was proved that EDTA played a significant role during the synthesis of ZnSe rose-like nanoflowers and microspheres. Room temperature photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy of the samples showed that the spectra were wide band from blue light to orange light. Furthermore, a possible formation mechanism of ZnSe nanoflowers and microspheres was proposed and discussed.