Microwave-assisted synthesis of high-quality CdTe/CdS@ZnS-SiO2 near-infrared-emitting quantum dots and their applications in Hg2+ sensing and imaging

Highly luminescent, good stable and low toxic N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC)-capped CdTe/CdS-ZnS@SiO2 quantum dots were successfully synthesized via a promising microwave strategy, and then applied in the detection and imaging of Hg2+.