Sonochemical synthesis of HgSe nanoparticles: Effect of metal salt, reaction time and reductant agent

A convenient sonochemical process for the preparation of mercury selenide (HgSe) nanoparticles has been developed based on the reaction of mercury salt and SeCl4 in the presence of triethanolamine (TEA) as complexing agent and N2H4·H2O (hydrazine hydrate) as the reductant agent at room temperature. The effects of preparation parameters such as metal salt, reaction time, reductant agent and its quantity on the morphology, the particle size and the phase of the final products have been investigated. The products were characterized by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) and X-ray powder diffraction (XRD).