An improved one-pot aqueous phase synthesis of CdTe QDs

An improved one-pot synthesis of water soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) using sodium tellurite (Na
₂
TeO
₃
) as the Te sources and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) as thiolligands reactant via a facile direct-heating route. CdTe QDs concerning multiple series parameters can be synthesized just like being baked and picked up when needed. At the same conditions of Cd : MPA = 1 : 1.4, 90°C, pH = 10.5 and excess NaBH
₄
, different Te : Cd molar ratio of 0.25, 0.45 and 0.65 of precursors were half filled into screw-cap-glass-bottles and then heated directly in an oven at 90°C. Samples with different growth time at 70, 100, 130, 160 and 200 min were picked up and their luminescence emission colors change from green to red if the growth time was long enough. By optimization of experimental parameters, the direct-heating route is highly effective, convenient, free of vacuum and inert gas protection, and environmentally friendly.