Conversion of ZnSe nanorods to ZnSe/ZnO nanoparticles via air annealing

In the present work, an economic co-precipitation method was used for the synthesis of ZnSe nanorods (NRs) and nanoparticles (NPs). The as-prepared sample was annealed at 300 °C in an open furnace. The samples were characterized using x-ray diffraction (XRD), UV–visible spectroscopic absorption technique, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), photoluminescence (PL) for structural, morphological, and optical properties. The structural information predicts the formation of hexagonal phase, with the most intense peak elongated to the (101) reflections. TEM micrographs confirmed the formation of nanorods and nanoparticles in the as-synthesized sample, which were converted to NPs via air annealing. UV–visible analysis showed a blue shift in the band gap values, hence demonstrated confinement effect. The PL spectra and corresponding CIE diagram showed the samples are blue-color emitters and useful for making blue lasers and blue LEDs which are having wide range of applications in medicine, healthcare, pharmaceutical, and the food industry.