Synthesis and characterization of mercury telluride nanoparticles using a new precursor

HgTe nanoparticles have been synthesized through a simple hydrothermal reduction approach using [N-N′-bis(salicylaldehydo)ethylenediamine]mercury(II), [Hg(salen)] complex, as a new precursor. HgTe nanoparticles with size about 15–25 nm was prepared. The products were also characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), photoluminescence spectroscopy (PL), X-ray energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectra. Effects of temperature, reaction time and reductant agent on the morphology, the particle sizes and the phase of the final products have been investigated.