Synthesis of Ultra-long Hollow Mercury Selenide (HgSe) Chalcogenide Nanofibers from Co and Ni Sacrificial Nanofibers

A general synthetic method has been used to fabricate Co and Ni nanofibers. By using the electrospinning technique followed by galvanic displacement reaction, we have successfully prepared ultra-long hollow chalcogen and chalcogenide nanofibers. The outstanding features of this approach to get ultra-long sacrificial nanofibers with controlled dimensions and morphology, thereby imparting control over the composition and shape of the nanostructures evolved during galvanic displacement reaction are its simplicity, effectiveness and ease of assembly. The aim of this study is to exploit the structural and compositional changes during the formation of HgSe chalcogenide with a view of fabricating a mercury sensor.