Synthesis and characterization of core/shell-type ZnO nanorod/ZnSe nanoparticle composites by a one-step hydrothermal route

A facile one-step hydrothermal route for the synthesis of core/shell-type ZnO/ZnSe nanorods was reported. The ZnSe nanoparticle-coated ZnO nanorods were successfully fabricated via a hydrothermal reaction of Zn with Na2SeO3 and HCl solution at 180 °C for 24 h. The as-prepared ZnO nanorod/ZnSe nanoparticle composites were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy. The results show that these core/shell-type ZnO/ZnSe nanorods have lengths of about 5 μm. The coated ZnSe nanoparticles are a polycrystal with the cubic structure of the zinc-blende type, and the ZnO nanorods are a single crystal with a hexagonal structure of the wurtzite type. A possible mechanism was also proposed to account for the formation of core/shell-type ZnO/ZnSe nanorods.