Microwave Synthesis of ZnSe

Research on ZnSe synthesis using microwave (MW) activation was conducted at varying concentrations of alkaline metal halogenides. It was established that ZnSe with a cubic lattice (a = 5.665 ± 0.002 Å) was formed irrespective of synthesis conditions. The interaction between zinc and selenium under MW radiation occurs at considerably lower temperatures (about 250 °C) in comparison with initial components' interaction during thermal heating, which is observed at temperature above 500 °C. To avoid sintering of ZnSe particles during interaction between zinc and selenium interaction, the injection of alkaline metal halogenides in a mass ratio 0.5:1 into the initial mixture is proposed. The as-synthesized ZnSe can be used as charge for the growth of optical crystals after preliminary annealing at 800 °C for 1 h.