Ionic liquid-assisted complex-solvothermal synthesis of ZnSe hollow microspheres

Dispersible ZnSe hollow microspheres with an average diameter of about 1.0 μm have been successfully prepared by the ionic liquid-assisted complex-solvothermal method. The structure and morphology of the as-prepared ZnSe hollow microspheres were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscope (SEM), and transmission electron microscope (TEM). The results indicated that the ZnSe hollow microspheres had the zinc blende structure and were composed of ZnSe nanoparticles of about 18.8 nm. Additionally, results from photoluminescence (PL) showed that the obtained product had two strong emission peaks centered at 425 and 440 nm. The application of the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Bmim]Br), which has high ionic conductivity and low surface tension, affected the morphologies of the products and allowed the reactions to be carried out under mild conditions. The growth mechanism of ZnSe hollow microspheres has been discussed.