Highly crystalline manganese selenide nanorods: Synthesis, characterization, and microwave absorption properties

Highly crystalline manganese diselenide (MnSe2) nanorods were synthesized via a facile solvothermal reaction with polyvinylpyrrolidone as a capping agent. The size, morphology, structure as well as phase purity were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, electron energy loss spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. All the results demonstrated that the as-synthesized MnSe2 nanorods grow along [2 0 0] axis and have high crystallization degree. Moreover, the aspect ratio of the MnSe2 nanorods ranging from ∼15 to ∼70 can be tuned by simply changing the amount of polyvinylpyrrolidone. Besides, the volume ratio of N,N-dimethylformamide to deionized water has critical influence on the morphology and composition of the products. Moreover, the microwave absorption properties of the MnSe2 nanorods were investigated. All the studies indicate that the MnSe2 nanorods might have potential applications as promising microwave absorbing materials.

Graphical abstractFigure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► High-quality MnSe2 nanorods via facile solvothermal method. ► MnSe2 nanorods with different aspect radio can be prepared with different amount of PVP. ► MnSe2 nanorods have great potential application as microwave absorber.