Preparation and characterization of ZnSe nanocrystals by a microemulsion-mediated method

Highly crystalline, well-dispersed ZnSe nanocrystal with a relatively narrow particle size distribution was successfully synthesized by using a reverse microemulsion of water/Triton X-100/2-propanol/cyclohexane with hydrothermal treatment at 120 degrees C. The samples were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electronic microscope (TEM), UV-visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR). The results show that ZnSe nanocrystal prepared by rnicroemulsion-mediated hydrothermal method has a better crystallinity and exhibits a higher PL intensity as compared with that prepared by reverse microemulsion method. The particle size and PL properties of ZnSe nanocrystals can be turned by systematically changing the reaction time. All the desired properties of nanocrystals prepared here imply the possibility of high quality ZnSe nanocrystals developed under the appropriate reaction conditions. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.