The synthesis and modification of CdTe/CdS core shell quantum dots

A simple and economical synthesis method of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) has been developed using glutathione as a modifier in an aqueous system. The fluorescent properties of as-prepared CdTe QDs at different reaction times were studied to optimize the synthesis conditions. CdTe/CdS QDs with core-shell structure was obtained by modifying as-synthesized CdTe QDs with refluxing and microwave method, respectively. The properties of the CdTe/CdS QDs were thoroughly investigated by photoluminescence (PL) and inverted fluorescence microscope, and exhibited high fluorescence intensity and good optical property. The study also shows that the microwave synthesis of CdTe/CdS QDs had more dispersed particle size and higher fluorescence intensity. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.