Chemical synthesis and functional properties of hexamethylenetetramine capped ZnSe nanorods

• ZnSe nanorods were successfully synthesized by chemical method.
• Hexamethylenetetramine was effectively acted as a surface passivating ligand.
• Excellent functional properties were obtained from Hexamethylenetetramine capped ZnSe nanorods.

One-dimensional ZnSe nanorods were synthesized by a wet chemical method. Hexamethylenetetramine (HMTA) was used as a capping agent to prevent agglomeration. X-ray diffraction (XRD) pattern revealed the formation of the cubic crystal structure of ZnSe. Band gap was found to be 3.05 eV from the optical absorption analysis. The surface passivation of HMTA on the ZnSe nanorods was confirmed by the Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. Field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) images revealed the formation of nanorods. The nanorods were 1–3 µm long and 100 nm in average diameter. A possible growth mechanism for their formation is proposed.