The synthesis of crystalline SnSe nanorods was successfully achieved via a chemical reaction between sodium selenosulfate (Na2SeSO3) and SnCl2·2H2O in alkaline aqueous solution in the presence of the complexing agent (trisodium citrate) at room temperature under ambient air. The product was characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), transmission electron microscopoy (TEM) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The results reveal that the SnSe nanorods are well crystalline with an average diameter of 85 nm and the lengths up to 10 μm. The possible mechanism for the formation of SnSe is also discussed.
