Synthesis, characterization, photo and physicochemical properties of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and tetraaniline capped CdS quantum dots

Surface modification of quantum dots (QDs) for improved photo and physicochemical properties is a topic of potential technological interest. Herein, we report on the synthesis of aggregation free 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid and tetraaniline (TA) capped CdS QDs with narrow size distribution (∼2.3 nm diameter), which are further characterized using UV–visible spectroscopy, photoluminescence spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The TA capped CdS QDs show improved photoluminescence and photostability, which is attributed to the effective grafting of TA on CdS QDs through N-atoms, changing the surface chemical environment and facilitating charge transfer.