Effect of CdS Interlayer on Properties of CdTe Based Quantum Dots

Highly luminescent thioglycolic acid-capped CdTe-based core/shell quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized through encapsulating CdTe QDs in various inorganic shells including CdS, ZnS and CdZnS. CdTe/CdS core/shell QDs exhibited a significant redshift of emission peaks (a maximum emission peak of 652 nm for the core/shell QDs and 575 nm for CdTe cores) with increasing shell thickness. In contrast, the redshift of photoluminescence (PL) peak wavelength of CdTe/ZnS QDs was less than 15 nm. The PL peak wavelengths of the core/shell QDs depended strongly on core size and shell thickness. The PL quantum yields (QYs) of the CdTe/CdS core/shell QDs are up to 67 % while that of CdTe/ZnS core/shell QDs is 45 %. A composite CdZnS shell made CdTe cores a high PL QY up to 51 % and broadly adjusted PL spectra (a maximum PL peak wavelength of 664 nm). The epitaxial growth of the shell was confirmed by X-ray powder diffraction analysis and luminescence decay experiments. Because of high PL QYs, tunable PL spectra, and low toxicity from a ZnS surface layer, CdTe/CdZnS core/shell QDs will be great potential for bioapplications.     

Studying the interaction between CdTe quantum dots and Nile blue by absorption,fluorescence and resonance Rayleigh scattering spectra

Thioglycolic acid (TGA) capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with the diameter of 2–3 nm were synthesized. The interaction between CdTe QDs and Nile blue (NB) was investigated by ultraviolet–visible (UV–vis) absorption, resonance Rayleigh scattering (RRS) and fluorescence spectroscopy. UV–vis absorption spectrum of CdTe QDs and NB obviously changed, showing that CdTe QDs could associate with NB to form a new complex. At pH 6.8, NB effectively quenched the fluorescence of CdTe QDs. It was proved that the fluorescence quenching of CdTe QDs by NB was mainly result of the formation of CdTe QDs–NB complex, electrostatic attraction and hydrophobic forces played a major role in stabilizing the complex. The binding molar ratio of CdTe QDs and NB was 5:1 by a mole-ratio method. The interaction between CdTe QDs and NB lead to the remarkable enhancement of RRS and the enchantments were in proportional to the concentration of NB in a certain range. The mechanism of the interaction between CdTe QDs and NB, reasons for the enhancement of RRS intensity were also discussed. The obtained results suggested the more satisfactory mechanism for the interaction between CdTe QDs and NB.     

Quantum dot induced phototransformation of 2,4-dichlorophenol, and its subsequent chemiluminescence reaction

We have studied the CdTe quantum dot-induced phototransformation of 2,4-dichlorophenol (2,4-DCP) and its subsequent chemiluminescence (CL) reaction. Quantum dots (QDs) of different size and capped with thioglycolic acid were prepared and characterized by molecular spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. In the presence of QDs, 2,4-DCP is photochemically transformed into a long-living light emitting precursor which can react with N-bromosuccinimide to produce CL with peak wavelengths at 475 and 550 nm. The formation of singlet oxygen during the phototransformation process was confirmed by the enhancement effect of deuterium oxide on the CL reaction and the change in the UV spectrum of a chemical trap. The CL intensity is linearly related to the concentration of 2,4-DCP in the range from 0.36 to 36 μmol L^?1, and the detection limit (at 3σ) is 0.13 μmol L^?1.

Paramagnetic Particles Isolation of Influenza Oligonucleotide Labelled with CdS QDs

In this study, we describe hybridization design probes consisting of paramagnetic particles and quantum dots (QDs) with targeted DNA, and their application for detection of avian influenza virus (H5N1). Optical properties of QDs were beneficial, but the main attention was paid to the electroactivity of metal part of QDs and ODNs themselves. Differential pulse voltammetry was used for detection of cadmium(II) ions and square wave voltammetry for detection of cytosine–adenine peak in ODN-SH-Cd complex. It clearly follows from the obtained results that the optimized conditions were temperature of hybridization 25 °C, time of hybridization 35 min, and concentration of ODN-SH-Cd complex 20 μg mL^?1. The detection limit (3 signal/noise) was estimated as 15 ng mL^?1 of ODN-SH-Cd.     

Study of Streptavidin-Modified Quantum Dots by Capillary Electrophoresis

Great boom of nanotechnologies impacts almost all areas of science and therefore detail understanding of the properties of nanomaterials as well as their interaction abilities is required. Surface modification and functionalization of nanoparticles is of a great interest due to the wide range of applications in the area of nanomedicine, nanobiology, and/or biochemistry. In this study, CdTe QDs were synthesized using microwave reactor and their surface was modified by streptavidin to ensure further suitability for bioconjugation with biotin-labelled oligonucleotides. For characterization of the synthesized QDs and for monitoring of the interaction with the oligonucleotide, capillary and gel electrophoresis was used. Moreover, complementary advantages of absorption (CE–UV) and laser-induced fluorescence detection (CE–LIF) were exploited. Comparison the electrophoretic mobilities obtained for streptavidin-modified QDs by CE–LIF (?9.87 × 10^?9 m²/V/s) and by CE–UV (?10.02 × 10^?9 m²/V/s) was in a good agreement enabling us to identify the peak of streptavidin-modified QDs in the CE–UV electropherogram containing also the peak of unreacted streptavidin. Subsequent conjugation of streptavidin-modified QDs with two model biotinylated oligonucleotides (BCL-2 and HBV) led to formation of the complex represented in the electropherograms as a very sharp peak. This peak height increased with time for 15.5 and 27 mAU using BCL-2 oligonucleotide and HBV oligonucleotide, respectively during 30 min interaction.     

A new approach to extraction and preconcentration of Ce(III) from aqueous solutions using magnetic reduced graphene oxide decorated with thioglycolic-acid-capped CdTe QDs

In the present study, a nanocomposite consisting of magnetic reduced graphene oxide decorated with thioglycolic-acid-capped CdTe quantum dots (TGA/CdTe QDs/Fe₃O₄/rGO) was synthesised using simple ‘hydrothermal method’ and applied as a nanosorbent for extraction and preconcentration of cerium (Ce)(III) from aqueous solutions prior to inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy detection. Under the optimised extraction conditions, the calibration graph for Ce(III) was linear in a concentration range of 0.1–511.0 μg L^?1 with a correlation coefficient of 0.9986. A detection limit of 0.1 μg L^?1 Ce(III) with an enrichment factor of 125 was obtained. Precisions, expressed as relative standard deviation for single-sorbent repeatability and sorbent-to-sorbent reproducibility, were 3.6% and 9.1% (n = 5), respectively. Finally, spiked sea, mineral and tap waters were analysed to evaluate the performance of the proposed method. The high recoveries indicated that the suggested protocol was acceptable for determination of Ce(III) ions in the water samples. The use of QDs and study of their ability for preconcentration of metal ions is an important achievement towards designing novel adsorbents with high efficiency.     

Surface‐State‐Mediated Charge‐Transfer Dynamics in CdTe/CdSe Core–Shell Quantum Dots

Herein, we report the synthesis of aqueous CdTe/CdSe type‐II core–shell quantum dots (QDs) in which 3‐mercaptopropionic acid is used as the capping agent. The CdTe QDs and CdTe/CdSe core–shell QDs are characterized by X‐ray diffraction (XRD), high‐resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR‐TEM), steady‐state absorption, and emission spectroscopy. A red shift in the steady‐state absorption and emission bands is observed with increasing CdSe shell thickness over CdTe QDs. The XRD pattern indicates that the peaks are shifted to higher angles after growth of the CdSe shell on the CdTe QDs. HR‐TEM images of both CdTe and CdTe/CdSe QDs indicate that the particles are spherical, with a good shape homogeneity, and that the particle size increases by about 2 nm after shell formation. In the time‐resolved emission studies, we observe that the average emission lifetime (τ_av) increases to 23.5 ns for CdTe/CdSe (for the thickest shell) as compared to CdTe QDs (τ_av=12 ns). The twofold increment in the average emission lifetime indicates an efficient charge separation in type‐II CdTe/CdSe core–shell QDs. Transient absorption studies suggest that both the carrier cooling and the charge‐transfer dynamics are affected by the presence of traps in the CdTe QDs and CdTe/CdSe core–shell QDs. Carrier quenching experiments indicate that hole traps strongly affect the carrier cooling dynamics in CdTe/CdSe core–shell QDs.     

Determination of formaldehyde based on the enhancement of the chemiluminescence produced by CdTe quantum dots and hydrogen peroxide

Water-soluble cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) capped with glutathione (GSH) display chemiluminescence (CL) emission on reaction with hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) in strongly alkaline medium. It is found that the CL is strongly enhanced on addition of formaldehyde in aqueous solution. A flow injection system was developed, and it is shown that there is good linearity between CL intensity and the concentration of formaldehyde in the 0.06–3.0 μg L^?1 range. The limit of detection is as low as 10 ng L^?1. The method was successfully applied to the determination of formaldehyde in indoor air after adsorption into an aqueous phase. The recoveries for the real samples range from 97 % to 102.5 %, and the relative standard deviation is <3.8 % for intra- and inter-assay precision.

硫脲修饰法制备高发光性能CdTe量子点

通过巯基水解制备了具有优异荧光特性的碲化镉量子点. 详细研究前驱体镉离子与巯基丙酸(MPA)摩尔比、镉离子浓度等制备条件对大尺寸、高量子产率的亲水性碲化镉量子点光学性能的影响. 在不同的水热生长时间下, 可制备出荧光发射峰位于485-660 nm范围内的不同尺寸的碲化镉水溶性量子点, 荧光发射峰半高宽控制在40-75 nm之间, 量子点的最高量子产率(QY)达到了45%. 并利用硫脲缓慢水解和光解释放自由硫离子, 修饰碲化镉表面, 检测修饰后的量子点在12天内光学性能的变化情况. 通过考察硫脲用量对量子点修饰效果, 发现当n(CdTe)/n(thiourea)=1:4(量子点浓度以镉离子浓度计)时, 硫脲对发射峰为505 nm的碲化镉量子点修饰效果最为理想, 量子点荧光强度加强了5倍, 量子产率达到68.3%.     

水溶性CdTe量子点的合成及影响因素研究

本文以巯基乙酸(TGA)为稳定剂,在水相中合成了高荧光CdTe量子点.其荧光发射波长在507 ～ 628nm范围内可调,最窄半峰宽37 nm,粒径约3.4nm,量子产率达42.1％.本实验在固定前躯体配比不变的情况下,考察了前躯体中镉离子的浓度、pH及回流时间对CdTe生长的影响.并用透射电子显微镜(TEM),荧光分光光度计(FS),X射线衍射仪(XRD)等手段对制备的量子点进行了表征.结果表明:CdTe量子点的尺寸随回流时间而增长;反应的pH对量子点的荧光强度有显著影响;镉离子的浓度越大,量子点的生长速度越快,荧光强度却随之降低.     

Multi-spectroscopic Study on the Interaction between CdTe Quantum Dots and Bovine Serum Albumin

The interaction between CdTe quantum dots (QDs) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) was systematically investigated by fluorescence, UV‐vis absorption and circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy under physiological conditions. The experimental results showed that the fluorescence of BSA could be quenched by CdTe QDs with a static quenching mechanism, indicating that CdTe QDs could react with BSA. The quenching constants according to the modified Stern‐Volmer equation were obtained as 1.710×10⁶, 1.291×10⁶ and 1.010×10⁶ L·mol^?1 at 298, 304, and 310 K, respectively. ΔH, ΔS and ΔG for CdTe QDs‐BSA system were calculated to be ?33.68 kJ·mol^?1, 6.254 J·mol^?1·K^?1 and ?35.54 kJ·mol^?1 (298 K), respectively, showing that electrostatic interaction in the system played a major role. According to F?rster theory, the distance between Trp‐214 in BSA and CdTe QDs was given as 2.18 nm. The UV‐vis, synchronous fluorescence and CD spectra confirmed further that the conformations of BSA after addition of CdTe QDs have been changed.     

Fluorescence Protection of CdTe Quantum Dots and Usages in Cellular and in vivo Imaging

The nanocomposites of poly(diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PDADMAC) and CdTe quantum dots (QDs) (i.e., QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites) have been prepared based on electrostatic interaction. Transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and Zeta potential analysis were used to characterize the prepared QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites. It was shown that the QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites have the specific curly-shaped band-like morphology with the width of 4–8 nm and unequal length, and there are rich positive charges on the surface of the nanocomposites. The prepared QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites also had good fluorescence stability. The usage based on their good stability has also been studied by cellular and in vivo imaging. In comparison with the QDs without PDADMAC protection, the obtained QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites have better fluorescence stability and staining effect in biology imaging. After incubation for 24 h at 37°C, A549 lung cancer cells were almost not stained by QDs, similarity to the culture medium control group, and could be clearly stained by QD-PDADMAC nanocomposites. For in vivo imaging of mice by intraperitoneal injection, the fluorescence of QDs could not be seen in abdominal cavity at 30 min, and the nanocomposites' one could still be clearly observed at a longer time (1 h). Moreover, the intestine in the large area of the abdominal cavity was effectively stained.     

Synthesis of imidazolium‐functionalized ionic polyurethane and formation of CdTe quantum dot–polyurethane nanocomposites

A series of positively charged imidazolium‐functionalized ionic polyurethanes (IPUs) were prepared in one‐step polymerization process by polymerization of presynthesized short‐chain imidazolium‐based ionic diol, polyethylene glycols with different molecular weights as long‐chain diols, and toluylene‐2,4‐diisocyanate. The structures of IPUs are confirmed by ¹H NMR analysis, and the thermogravimetric analysis measurement indicates that the IPUs have high degradation temperature. Fluorescent nanocrystal–polymer composites CdTe–IPU can be prepared conveniently, by the electrostatic interaction between positively charged IPUs and the negatively charged aqueous CdTe quantum dots (QDs). UV–vis absorption and photoluminescence spectra indicate the photochemical stability and strong fluorescent emission of CdTe–IPU composites. The quantum yields (QYs) of the composites are high and basically restore the QYs of the pure QDs. In addition, the transmission electron microscopy photographs show that the QDs in composites are uniform (about 3 nm in diameter) and monodisperse. The obtained nanocomposites are powder or elastomers with good film building. The casted CdTe–IPU films are transparent under visible light, and the colors of the composites and their films are vivid under a UV lamp. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Polym Sci Part A: Polym Chem, 2011     

Monodispersity and ordering of semiconductor quantum dots synthesised in ionic liquid crystalline phase of cadmium alkanoates

Structural and optical properties of cadmium alkanoates nanocomposites with cadmium sulfide (CdS) quantum dots (QDs) have been studied by using various techniques: small angle X-ray scattering, transmission electron microscopy, optical absorption spectroscopy and photoluminescence. QDs are chemically synthesised in thermotropic ionic liquid crystalline (ILC) phase of cadmium alkanoates that have smectic-type ordering and are used as nanoreactors. Anisotropic glassy nanocomposites are obtained by rapid cooling the thermotropic ILC nanocomposites to the room temperature. For synthesis of CdS QDs are used cadmium capronate matrix or cadmium octanoate matrix and their binary mixture. Our results show that in the new cadmium alkanoates matrices, the CdS QDs have a small dispersion of their sizes, their shape is nearly spherical, they are stable over time and they are ordered in a layered smectic A matrix. QDs in cadmium octanoate and in cadmium capronate matrices have the dominant characteristic sizes of 2.7 and 2.8 nm, respectively. In the binary mixture, the QDs have two dominant characteristic sizes of 2.7 and 3.6 nm. The glassy nanocomposites show spectra both of absorption and of photoluminescence in near-ultraviolet and blue visible spectral range.     

A ratiometric fluorometric heparin assay based on the use of CdTe and polyethyleneimine-coated carbon quantum dots

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were integrated with polyethyleneimine-coated carbon dots (PEI-CDs) to form a dually emitting probe for heparin. The red fluorescence of the CdTe QDs is quenched by the PEI-CDs due to electrostatic interactions. In the presence of heparin, the blue fluorescence of PEI-CDs remains unaffected, while its quenching effect on the fluorescence of CdTe QDs is strongly reduced. A ratiometric fluorometric assay was worked out. The ratio of the fluorescences at 595 and 436 nm serves as the analytical signal. Response is linear in the concentration range of 50–600 ng·mL^?1 (0.1–1.2 U·mL^?1) of heparin. The limit of detection is 20 ng·mL^?1 (0.04 U·mL^?1). This makes the method a valuable tool for heparin monitoring during postoperative and long-term care. This assay is relatively free from the interference by other analogues which commonly co-exist with heparin in samples, and it is more robust than single-wavelength based assays.

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Graphical abstract In the presence of heparin, the fluorescence of polyethyleneimine-coated carbon dots (PEI-CDs) at 436 nm remains unaffected, while its quenching effect on the fluorescence of CdTe at 595 nm is strongly reduced.

     

Detection of trace nitrite in waters using a QDs-based chemiluminescence analysis system

In the present work, a novel flow-injection chemiluminescence method based on CdTe quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the determination of nitrite. Weak chemiluminescence (CL) signals were observed from a CdTe QDs–H₂O₂ system under basic conditions. The addition of a trace amount of hemoglobin (Hb) caused the CL from the CdTe QDs–H₂O₂ system to increase substantially. In the presence of nitrite, the ferrous Hb reacted with the nitrate to form ferric Hb and NO. The NO then bound to ferrous Hb to generate iron nitrosyl Hb. As a result, the CL signal from the CdTe QDs–H₂O₂–Hb system was quenched. Thus, a flow-injection CL analytical system for the determination of trace nitrite was established. Under optimum conditions, there was a good linear relationship between CL intensity and the concentration of nitrite in the range 1.0?×?10^?9 to 8.0?×?10^?7 mol L^?1 (R ²?=?0.9957). The limit of detection for nitrite using this system was 3.0?×?10^?10 mol L^?1 (S/N?=?3). This method was successfully applied to detect nitrite in water samples.

Cadmium sulfide quantum dots modified by chitosan as fluorescence probe for copper (II) ion determination

CdS quantum dots (QDs) have been prepared and modified with chitosan. Based on the quenching of fluorescence signals of the functionalized CdS QDs at 531 nm wavelength and enhancement of signals the 400–700 nm wavelength range by Cu²⁺ at pH 4.2, a simple, rapid and specific method for Cu²⁺ determination is presented. Under optimum conditions, the relative fluorescence intensity of CdS QDs is linearly proportional to copper concentration from 8.0 nmol L^?1 to 3.0 μmol L^?1 with a detection limit of 1.2 nmol L^?1. The mechanism can be explained in terms of strong binding of Cu²⁺ onto the surface of CdS, resulting in a chemical displacement of Cd²⁺ ions and the formation of CuS on the surface of the QDs.     

Photoluminescence investigation of MPA–ZnS QDs interaction with selenite ion

The interaction between water-soluble zinc sulfide quantum dots (ZnS QDs) and selenite ion was investigated by photoluminescence method. The water-soluble ZnS QDs were synthesized using a simple and fast procedure based on the co-precipitation of nanoparticles in an aqueous solution in the presence of 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), as the capping agent. Fluorescence intensity for MPA–ZnS QDs, with a strong fluorescent emission at about 430 nm, decreased in the presence of selenite. The influence of the effective parameters including pH and temperature was investigated. The results showed that under the optimum conditions, the fluorescence intensity change of QDs was linearly proportional to the selenite concentration in the range 4.0 × 10^?5–7.2 × 10^?4 mol L^?1. Moreover, the quenching mechanism was discussed to be a static quenching procedure.     

Ultrafast synthesis of near-infrared-emitting aqueous CdTe/CdS quantum dots with high fluorescence

The traditional aqueous route to synthesis CdTe/CdS Core/shell (c/s) quantum dots (QDs) via decomposition of Cd-thiol complexes is usually time consuming. Herein, an ultrafast and facile aqueous synthetic approach under atmospheric pressure for CdTe/CdS c/s QDs with emission from the green to the near-infrared window (535–820 nm) is reported. With purified CdTe core QDs diluted in solution of Cd-3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) complexes, CdTe/CdS c/s QDs with emission wavelengths at 700 and 800 nm can be obtained within 20- and 45-min refluxing under the optimized experimental conditions, respectively. This is the most rapid way to prepare CdTe/CdS c/s QDs in aqueous phase, and the obtained QDs were highly luminescent without postsynthesis treatment. The influences of various experimental factors, including Cd²⁺ concentration, MPA-to-Cd ratio, pH value, and dilution ratio on the growth rate and luminescent properties of the obtained CdTe/CdS c/s QDs, have been taken into consideration. The three processes “purification-dilution-addition” ensure the synthesis environment with high pH value and low core concentration and have a marked impact on the rapid synthesis rate and the resulting high fluorescence of CdTe/CdS c/s QDs.     

Fluorescent turn-on detection of cysteine using a molecularly imprinted polyacrylate linked to allylthiol-capped CdTe quantum dots

CdTe quantum dots capped with thioglycolic acid (TGA) display a strong turn-on fluorescence response if exposed to solutions of cysteine (Cys). In order to exploit this effect, a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) for Cys was covalently linked to the QDs via allyl mercaptan. The resulting nanomaterials (QDs, MIP-coated QDs, and nonimprint-coated QDs) were characterized by FTIR and scanning electron microscopy. The adsorption of Cys was studied in phosphate buffer (pH 7.4) with respect to equilibration times (5, 15, and 40 min, respectively), binding constants [2.98, 2.42, and 0.96 (×10⁴ M^?1)], and Langmuir isotherms (R²?=?0.9995, 0.9999, and 0.9983) in the Cys concentration range between 3.33 μM to 500 μM. The method has a detection limit of 0.85 μM (3σ, blank, for n?=?10). The selectivity of the MIP-coated QDs for Cys over 19 other amino acids is similar to that of bare QDs, but MIP-QDs afford better recoveries of Cys from solutions also containing bovine serum albumin (90 %) and fetal bovine serum (97 %), respectively, when compared to the recoveries that are obtained with bare (non-imprinted) QDs (135 % and 120 %). This is probably due to the fact that the outer MIP shell largely reduces protein wrapping, dot aggregation, and matrix inclusion.