Enhanced Optical and Structural Properties of ZnSe Nanoparticles Synthesized by Pulsed Laser Ablation in Liquid

ZnSe nanoparticles, with applications in optoelectronic devices such as LEDs, solar cells, and photodetectors, were synthesized using pulsed laser ablation in liquid (PLAL)-a surfactant-free method that enables the production of high-purity nanoparticles with precise control over particle size and morphology. Laser ablation was performed using an Nd laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm, pulse energy of 135 mJ, and a pulse duration of 10 ns. X-ray diffraction confirmed the formation of hexagonal ZnSe nanocrystals, with an average crystallite size of 27.53 nm. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDX) were used to characterize the nanoparticles’ size, morphology, and stoichiometry. Absorption and photoluminescence spectra revealed a band gap of 3.30 eV and indicated excitonic emissions in the nanoparticles when excited by the second harmonic of the laser. These findings highlight PLAL as an effective technique for synthesizing ZnSe nanoparticles with controlled optical and structural properties, making them suitable for diverse applications in optoelectronics.