Synthesis and photoluminescence of semiconductor ZnSe hollow microspheres by two-sourced evaporation

► ZnSe hollow microspheres were synthesized by a novel two-sourced evaporation method. ► The ZnSe microspheres show perfect spherical structure with polycrystalline shell. ► Growth mechanism is mainly attributed to template effect of liquid Zn microspheres. ► Broad multi-bands PL emission is due to deep level emission and structure defects. Micro-sized hollow spheres of cubic ZnSe were synthesized by a novel two-sourced evaporation method in a quartz tube at 410°C. The majority of the ZnSe microspheres exhibited perfectly spherical morphology and a distinct hollow structure with a relatively rough surface. The shell of the hollow microspheres was polycrystalline and consisted of primary ZnSe nano-crystallines with a size of about 20.0nm. The formation mechanism of the hollow microspheres was attributed to the template effect of the liquid metallic Zn microspheres deposited initially on the graphite substrate and the growth process of the ZnSe polycrystalline shell. Broad multi-bands photoluminescence emission of the ZnSe microspheres was observed, which was ascribed to deep level emission and structure defects.