The Fe2+ doped ZnSe nanorods are synthesized using simple potentiostatic mode of electrodeposition on the ITO substrate. In order to study the doping effect of Fe2+ in ZnSe, varied the doing percent such as 0.5%, 1%, 1.5%. These films are characterized for structural, compositional, morphological, optical and electrochemical properties using the X-ray diffraction study (XRD), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy, UV vis spectroscopy and electrochemical spectroscopy. Along with these Raman spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy have been studied for understanding the characteristics vibrations of ZnSe and luminescence of ZnSe nanorods. FE-SEM shows the nanorods like morphology. Photoelectrochemical cell performance studied using the J V measurement and it shows the maximum efficiency at 1% Fe2+ doped ZnSe nanorods. The observed maximum efficiency of Fe2. doped ZnSe nanorods is 0.32%. (C) 2015 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.