Synthesis and characterization of FeSe2 nanoparticles and FeSe2/FeO(OH) nanocomposites by hydrothermal method

• A facile hydrothermal method was employed to prepare FeSe2 and FeSe2/FeO(OH).
• FeSe2 nanopaticles were synthesized in the presence of PEG4000 at 140 °C for 13 h.
• Using PEG600 and SDS, FeSe2/FeO(OH) nanocomposites were synthesized.
• The effects of some parameters were investigated.
• N2H4⋅H2O, KBH4 and Zn were used as reductant.

FeSe2 nanoparticles and FeSe2/FeO(OH) nanocomposites have been synthesized through a novel controllable hydrothermal method with FeSO4⋅7H2O and SeCl4 as precursors. In this procedure, H2SeO3 (obtained from aqueous solution of SeCl4) is gradually reduced to Se and Se2− by reductant. The reduced Se and Se2− ions are combined with Fe2+ ion to give FeSe2. By varying the surfactant, reaction time, temperature, reductant and amount of hydrazine hydrate (N2H4⋅H2O), the method permits us to synthesize different products. The FeSe2 nanoparticles are synthesized in the presence of PEG4000 at 140 °C for 13 h. Using PEG600 (at 140 °C or 110 °C for 13 h) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (at 140 °C for 7 h), FeSe2/FeO(OH) nanocomposites are synthesized. SEM and TEM images show the morphology and size of the as-synthesized samples. Chemical composition of the samples is characterized by XRD, XPS and EDS. Ultraviolet–visible and photoluminescence spectra exhibit optical properties of nanostructures. Magnetization measurement shows a twofold behavior, ferromagnetic and paramagnetic behaviors, for FeSe2 nanoparticles.

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