In this work, a simple, effective and reproducible chemical synthetic, route for the production of high-quality, pure ZnSe nanoparticles (NPs), and lanthanum-doped ZnSe (ZnSe:La) NPs is presented. The wide bandgap, luminescent pure ZnSe and ZnSe:La NPs has been synthesized at a low temperature (100 degrees C) in a single template-free step. The size and optical bandgap of the NPs was analyzed from powder X-ray diffraction (XRD), UV-visible (UV-vis) spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and high resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). A broad photoluminescence (PL) emission across the visible spectrum has been demonstrated by a systematic blue-shift in emission due to the formation of small nanoparticles. Here, contribution to emission intensity from surface states of NPs increases with La doping. TEM data revealed that the average size of ZnSe and ZnSe:La NPs is 14 and 8 nm, respectively. On the other hand, band gap energy E-g of ZnSe and ZnSe:La NPs were found to be 3.59 eV and 3.65 eV, respectively. Results showed that hydrazine hydrate played multiple roles in the formation of ZnSe and ZnSe:La NPs. A possible reaction mechanism for the growth of NPs is also discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.