Facile synthesis of rod-shape nanostructures lead selenide via hydrothermal process

PbSe rod-shape nanostructures have been successfully synthesized by a facile hydrothermal route using PEG4000 as additive agent. The as-obtained products were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX). The effect of experimental parameters on the formation of different morphologies and possible mechanism were investigated. Effects of temperature, reaction time and reductant agent on the morphology, the particle sizes and the phase of the final products have been investigated. It was found that the phase and morphology of the products could be greatly influenced by these parameters. The synthesis procedure is simple and uses less toxic reagents than the previously reported methods. The studies on the optical properties of PbSe nanostructures were carried out by UV–vis absorption spectrum and photoluminescence spectrum.

► PbSe rod-shape nanostructures were synthesized by a facile hydrothermal method.
► The effect of experimental parameters on the PbSe morphologies was investigated.
► The optical properties of nanostructures were carried out by UV–vis and PL spectrum.
► In this work, different morphologies rod-like and nanoparticles were obtained.
► In comparison to other works, our method is simple, low cost and can be controlled.