Optical Properties Of CdTe Quantum Dots Research Articles

An investigation on the structural and optical properties of mercaptosuccinic acid capped cadmium telluride quantum dots

In this work, a sonication induced modified wet chemical approach is adopted to synthesize highly luminescent and water soluble cadmium telluride (CdTe) quantum dots (QDs). The morphology, size, crystal structural, and optical properties of CdTe QDs are investigated for different refluxing time (1–4 h). The refluxing time-dependent optical constants viz. band gap energy and Urbach energy of the QDs are estimated from UV–Visible absorption spectra. The optical band gap energy decreased from ~ 2.12 to 1.92 eV and the Urbach energy increased from ~ 361 to 487 meV, with the increase in refluxing time. CdTe QDs are found to be uniform in size. The average size of the QDs estimated from the High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope image analysis is about 5.8 and 8.2 nm for refluxing times 1 and 4 h, respectively. The growth mechanism of the QDs as a function of refluxing time has also been discussed. The fluorescence spectra of the QDs, revealed emission peaks having wavelength from ~ 534 to 585 nm, under the excitation wavelength of 320 nm. The fluorescence emission peaks showed a bathochromic shift with increasing refluxing time. CdTe QDs also exhibit excitation-dependent fluorescence behaviour. Two crystalline phases of the CdTe QDs, namely hexagonal and cubic are confirmed from the High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscope images and Selected Area Electron Diffraction patterns analysis. The phase transformation from hexagonal to cubic is successfully achieved by tuning the refluxing time from 1 to 4 h.

Effects of concertation and size of aqueous QDs on the detection of ionizing radiation based on changes in optical properties

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have recently been used in many applications. In particular, semiconductor and luminescent QDs are suitable candidate for use in optoelectronic devices and optical sensors. The optical properties of aqueous CdTe QDs with high efficiency photoluminescence (PL) make them good candidates for new dosimetry applications. Therefore, comprehensive studies are required of the effects of ionizing radiation on the optical properties of CdTe QDs. In the present study, we investigated the properties of aqueous CdTe QDs by a gamma 60Co source at different doses. For the first time, we determined the effects of the concentration and size of QDs, which are key factors in a gamma dosimeter. The results demonstrated the concentration-dependent photobleaching property of QDs, which grater changes in the optical properties occurred. The initial size of the QDs affected their optical properties, where red-shifting of PL peak position increased with smaller sizes. Analysis of the effect of gamma irradiation on the thin film QDs indicated that the PL intensity decrease as the dose increased. with increasing dose. X-ray diffraction analysis found no changes in the crystal structure. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy indicated decomposition of the capping agent thioglycolic acid on CdTe QDs after gamma irradiation.

Improving Photoluminescence Quantum Yield of CdTe Quantum Dots Using a Binary Solvent (Water + Glycerin) in the One-Pot Approach Synthesis

The present work describes the comparison of the optical and structural properties between CdTe quantum dots (QD) synthesized in water and in the binary solvent (water + glycerin) via one-pot approach synthesis. The optical properties of the nanocrystals obtained with different synthesis parameters were characterized by UV-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopies. The structural chracterization were performed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), zeta potential, size-distribution by dynamic light scattering (DLS), X-ray diffraction (XRD), and also by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The optical properties of CdTe QD when synthesized in the binary solvent were better, resulting in the increase of photoluminescence quantum yield (φƒ). The CdTe QD prepared in 120 min, at pH 10.0, in the Cd:Te molar ratio 20:1, using the molar ratio 1:1.5 of Cd:TGA (thioglycolic acid), exhibited a narrow photoluminescence band and enhanced φƒ for the samples synthesized in a binary solvent in comparison to water solvent (58.4 and 49.5%, respectively).

Effect of Mercaptosuccinic Acid Stabilizer Agent on the Optical Properties of Colloidal CdTe Quantum Dots.

In the present work, we report on the positive effect of mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) stabilizer agent on the optical features of colloidal CdTe quantum dots (QDs). With this aim, we performed some spectroscopic measurements such as steady-state absorption and fluorescence, fluorescence quantum yield and time-resolved photoluminescence for five MSA-capped CdTe QD samples with different synthesis times. The first general aspect to highlight is that the QDs' average size increased with synthesis time (from 30 to 150 min) while the size dispersion decreased due to the Ostwald ripening mechanism. Second, comparing the optical properties of CdTe QDs obtained from the same synthesis route, we show that MSA stabilizer agent enhanced the optical properties of CdTe QDs as compared with other widely used stabilizer agents such as GSH and TGA. We ascribe this outcome to reduction of the number of surface defects of the CdTe QDs because the MSA stabilizer agent decreases the growth rate of nanocrystals, causing an improvement in their surface quality. In the light of Fermi's golden rule, we observed that for longer synthesis time the optical properties of CdTe QDs increases due to the enhancement of the direct radiative recombination rate of electrons and holes and decrease in the decay rate for core states. Finally, we investigated the pH-dependent fluorescence and demonstrated the similar behaviour in acidic range between MSA-capped CdTe and mercaptocarboxylates-capped CdTe.

Preparation of core/shell CdTe@hMSN for enhanced tumor vasculature-specific drug delivery.

Due to excellent optical properties, CdTe quantum dots (QDs) exhibit great potential in cancer imaging. However, CdTe QDs can be quickly cleared out before reaching the desired location because of their ultra-small size. The structure and optical properties of CdTe QDs are also easily affected by the surrounding solution, which leads to their compromised applications in vivo. Here, CdTe QDs were incorporated into hollow mesoporous silica nanoparticles (hMSN) to form CdTe@hMSN nano-platforms. The as-synthesized system maintained the excellent emission properties of CdTe QDs; meanwhile, relatively high drug loading efficiency was also observed for doxorubicin (DOX). With the target for vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the formed CdTe@hMSN(DOX)–VEGF Abs showed feasibility of tumor-oriented drug delivery and CdTe@hMSN conjugate accumulation. The high accumulation and enhanced targeted drug delivery of CdTe@hMSN conjugates in tumor nodules confirmed that CdTe@hMSN conjugates can serve as promising candidates for cancer detection and treatment.

Optical properties and charge carrier dynamics of CdTe quantum dots in silicate glasses

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in silicate glasses were fabricated through conventional melt-quenching and heat-treatment; steady-state and transient optical properties of CdTe QDs were investigated. CdTe QDs with diameters of 2.3–5.9 nm with photoluminescence in the range of 553–768 nm were precipitated in the glasses. Time-resolved photoluminescence and transient absorption analysis showed that photoluminescence of CdTe QDs was composed of intrinsic emission and defect emission. Oxidation of Te2− and formation of Te2 during thermal treatment led to the unpassivated Cd2+ on the surface of CdTe QDs and formation of shallow trapping states. The photo-generated electrons were trapped by the shallow surface states of CdTe QDs within 0.4±0.03 ps, and Auger recombination processes occurred within a timescale of 3.2±0.35 ps. Both intrinsic emission and defect emission with effective lifetimes of several nanoseconds and dozens of nanoseconds were observed.

Electrochemical detection of specific DNA sequences related to bladder cancer on CdTe quantum dots modified glassy carbon electrode

In this article, we developed an electrochemical method for detection of specific DNA sequences of bladder cancer cells based on CdTe quantum dots (QDs) modified glassy carbon electrode (GCE). Methylene blue (MB) was intercalated into the hybridized double stranded DNA (dsDNA) and used as electrochemical indictor. CdTe QDs amplified the electrochemical signals due to their larger surface area, which can immobilize more single stranded DNA (ssDNA) probes on electrode surface. The morphology and optical properties of CdTe QDs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), fluorescence spectra (FS), UV–vis spectrum and Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR). Moreover, target DNA was detected by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) quantitatively. The linear range was obtained from 1×10−12M to 1×10−8M, and the limit of detection was 6.435×10−13M (3δ). The control experiments were also carried out by hybridization with various mismatched DNA sequences. These results displayed this fabricated electrochemical DNA biosensor was of good selectivity, sensitivity, stability and easy operation.

CdTe Quantum Dots Embedded in Multidentate Biopolymer Based on Salep: Characterization and Optical Properties

This paper describes a novel method for surface modification of water soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) by using poly(acrylic acid) grafted onto salep (salep-g-PAA) as a biopolymer. As-prepared CdTe-salep-g-PAA QDs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectrum, thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The absorption and fluorescence emission spectra were measured to investigate the effect of salep-g-PAA biopolymer on the optical properties of CdTe QDs. The results showed that the optical properties of CdTe QDs were significantly enhanced by using salep-g-PAA-based biopolymer.

Optical Properties of Water-Soluble CdTe Quantum Dots Passivated by a Biopolymer Based on Poly((2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) Grafted onto κ-Carrageenan

Poly ((2-dimethylaminoethyl) methacrylate) grafted onto κ-carrageenan (κC-g-PDMA) as a biopolymer was synthesized and applied for surface modification of water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs). The effects of DMA concentration, molar ratio of κC-g-PDMA/CdTe, reaction temperature and time on optical properties of CdTe QDs were investigated via fluorescent (FL) and UV- visible spectra. The results showed that the κC-g-PDMA significantly affects the optical properties of CdTe QDs. The obtained samples were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TG) analysis, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The antibacterial activity, antifungal assays, and cytotoxicity of modified QDs were examined, and a good biocompatibility was observed.

以巯基丙酸为稳定剂的水溶性CdTe量子点的水热合成及表征

Mercaptopropionic acid(MPA) modified high quality CdTe quantum dots(QDs) were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis method in a high temperature.The influences of different reaction time and different pH value of the reactive precursor solution on the optical properties of CdTe QDs were studied.The results indicate that the fluorescence emission wavelength of the as-prepared CdTe QDs can be adjusted continuously at a range of 510~661 nm,and the optical properties of CdTe QDs strongly depend on the pH value of the reactive precursor solution(the optimum pH value is 9).The samples were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction.The results show that the shape of the as-prepared CdTe QDs is closed to sphere,and the particle size distribution is uniform.Comparing with the reflux method for preparing water-soluble QDs,the hydrothermal synthesis method at a high temperature is relatively simple,and the reaction time is shorter,the growth of CdTe QDs is faster,the particle size can be grown to 3.5 nm within 100 min.The as-prepared CdTe QDs possess higher fluorescence intensity,good stability and higher fluorescence quantum yield(up to 44.6%).

Photoluminescence of CdTe quantum dots ligated with caprylic acid synthesized at low temperature

Photoluminescent semiconductor nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs) are usually produced using expensive ligands and solvents at high temperature above 280°C to ensure high-quality optical properties, particularly the photoluminescence of QDs. The reproducibility of highly stable photoluminescence in QD preparation, in most cases, varies depending on many effects, such as the ligand used and temperature. Here a facile preparation of photoluminescent semiconductor CdTe nanocrystals or quantum dots (QDs) is conducted in the presence of caprylic acid at moderate temperatures between 80–140°C, which are much lower than the high temperatures used in conventional organic-phase preparation of CdTe QDs. The results show that the optical properties of CdTe QDs depend considerably on the reaction time, temperature and ligand used.

Luminescence enhancement of water soluble CdTe quantum dots by proper surface modification with ethylene diamine

Thioglycolic acid (TGA) capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized in aqueous media. The effect of diamine on luminescence property of TGA capped CdTe QDs has been investigated and it has been found that the diamine significantly affects the optical properties of CdTe QDs. Luminescence efficiency as well as lifetime of CdTe QDs have seen to be enhanced notably up to certain concentration of the ethylene diamine added and the observation is much more pronounced in case of smaller size QDs. The results indicate that the local surface-trap states of CdTe QDs reduced effectively by the EDA treatment.

The third-order optical nonlinearity and upconversion luminescence of CdTe quantum dots under femtosecond laser excitation

The aqueous CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were synthesized by the electrostatic reaction method. The optical properties of CdTe QDs were investigated by femtosecond Z-scan and time-resolved luminescence technique in nonresonant spectral region. The nonlinear absorption and refraction are ascribed to two-photon absorption, and time-resolved upconversion photoluminescence produces biexponential decay pattern at infrared femtosecond laser excitation. Upconversion luminescence is composed of a band-edge excitonic state and a photoinduced trapping state. The short-lived band-edge excitonic emission is independent of the detection wavelengths, and long-lived species becomes even longer with the increase of detection wavelengths, which indicates the size dependence of surface excitonic emission.

Influence of Acid on Luminescence Properties of Thioglycolic Acid-Capped CdTe Quantum Dots

CdTe quantum dots (QDs) were prepared in aqueous solution by the reaction between Cd2+ and H2Te in the presence of thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a stabilizer. In order to improve the quantum yield (QY), we systematically optimized the synthesis conditions and found that the pH value significantly affected the optical properties of CdTe QDs. After synthesizing different sizes of CdTe QDs, we have extended our observation to check the effect of pH level on different sizes of CdTe QDs. Experimental results reveal that the luminescence QY as well as the lifetime of TGA-capped CdTe QDs increased noticeably when the solution was made acidic up to a certain pH level. This observation is much more pronounced in the case of smaller size QDs. The optical spectroscopy studies imply that the pH-dependent behavior of the luminescence of CdTe QDs is caused by structural changes on the surface rather than the size of the QDs. Turbidity observed at low pH indicates the formation of aggregates of QDs. This is confirmed by st...