Chemiluminescence of CdTe quantum dots using K3Fe(CN)6 as oxidant and its capping ligand-dependent effect

Water-soluble CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped with three different thioalkyl acids (mercaptoacetic acid, cysteine and glutathione) were synthesized in aqueous solution. In basic media, K3Fe(CN)6 could directly oxidize the water-soluble CdTe QDs to produce strong CL emission. It was found that the CL intensity depended on the capping ligand and size of CdTe QDs. CL spectra and fluorescence spectra of the system were measured to investigate the CL reaction mechanism. Moreover, the effects of 17 metal ions on the CL system were carefully investigated. Ca2+, Co2+, Mn2+, Hg2+, Mg2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Cr3+ and Fe3+ could markedly inhibit the CL signal of the K3Fe(CN)6–CdTe QDs system, which makes it applicable for the detection of such ions. This work is of importance for gaining a better understanding of the unique optical and physical chemistry properties of QDs, and it is also helpful to find more practical applications of QDs.