Synthesis of Anisotropic ZnSe Nanorods with Zinc Blende Crystal Structure

Compared with the well-explored cadmium-based one-dimensional nanorods (NRs), it is still a challenge to produce heavy-metal-free II–VI semiconductor analogues with a controlled size, shape, and crystal structure. Herein, a synthetic strategy towards ZnSe NRs with a zinc blende crystal structure is presented, where use of the anisotropic nuclei produced via a high-temperature selenium injection favors anisotropic growth. Elongated ZnSe NRs were produced from anisotropic ZnSe nuclei, while spherical ZnSe nanocrystals were obtained starting from isotropic nuclei. The different free energy at (111) and (220) planes in anisotropic ZnSe nuclei induces the anisotropic growth of (111) plane for ZnSe NRs. Proper choice of the capping ligand (1-dodecanethiol) has an important implication for the formation of anisotropic ZnSe nuclei and also allows the control of the diameter of the final ZnSe NRs by limiting the growth of the (220) crystal plane of anisotropic ZnSe nuclei.