Particuology (IF:2.785)

Volume 11, Jan 2013, Pages 614-617

Solvothermal synthesis of trigonal selenium with butterfly-like microstructure

Abstract

We present a facile synthesis of trigonal selenium with butterfly-like microstructure from elemental selenium via a solvothermal and aging route.By using X-ray diffraction and scanning electron microscopy to characterize the products,a possible growth mechanism is proposed.The solvothermal process promotes the dissolution of selenium in ethylenediamine to form a brown homogeneous[Se(en)_x]solution.By introducing acetone into this[Se(en)_x]solution,amorphous selenium nanoparticles were produced which then transformed into trigonal selenium,which further assembled along the c-axis to form hexagonal rods.Owing to stereo hindrance as well as to development of opposite lateral sides of the hexagonal rod in opposing directions,a butterfly-like microstructure consisting of two long outside rods and a short inner rod was obtained