From visible to white-light emission by siloxane-capped ZnO quantum dots upon interaction with thiols

The interaction of thiols (glutathione, cysteine, and cysteamine) with yellow-emitting siloxane-capped ZnO QDs was studied. A gradual enlargement of the PL emission band resulting in white-light emission was observed upon reaction with thiols, while the diameter (ca. 4 nm) and the crystallinity of the dots were not affected. The appearance of broad white-emission was accompanied by a decrease of the photoluminescence quantum yield from 16% to 5–6%. Generation of surface defect states through interaction of the thiols with Zn surface atoms of the dots provoking shrunk of the siloxane capping may be responsible of that broadband emission throughout most of the light spectrum.

► New synthetic route to produce white-light emitting ZnO QDs.
► Native yellow-emitting ZnO QDs produce white-light upon reaction with thiols.
► Modification of the PL emission is surface-driven.
► Generation of new surface defects through the reaction with thiols.