One-pot synthesis of CdTe quantum dots using tellurium dioxide as a tellurium source in aqueous solution

A novel route has been developed for the synthesis of l-cysteine (Cys)-capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) in an aqueous medium. Compared with previous reports, this synthesis was carried out in air atmosphere with one pot by using TeO2 to replace Te or Al2Te3 as tellurium source. The mechanism for the formation of CdTe QDs is elucidated. The influences of various experimental variables on the luminescent properties of the obtained CdTe QDs have been systematically investigated, including refluxing time, pH value, Cd/Cys and Cd/Te molar ratios. Furthermore, the obtained QDs were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectra, X-ray powder diffraction, and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. The results demonstrate that the obtained QDs have zincblende crystal structure with a sphere-like shape. Under the optimized experimental conditions, green- to yellow-emitting CdTe QDs with a maximum photoluminescence quantum yield of 14.6 % can be obtained.