Spectroelectrochemistry of hollow spherical CdSe quantum dot assemblies in water

The hollow spherical CdSe QD assemblies were synthesized via a sonochemical approach that utilizes β-cyclodextrin as a template reagent in aqueous solution. The hollow nanospheres have an average diameter of 70 nm and are found to consist of an assembly of monodispersed 5 nm sized CdSe quantum dots. Following an electrochemical reaction with persulfate ions, strong electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) was observed from the CdSe nanoassemblies suspended in an aqueous solution of pH ⩽ 7.95. The study indicates that the morphology of the 70 nm nanoassembly plays an important role in generating the stable ECL since individually dispersed quantum dots did not exhibit any significant ECL. The unique ECL intensity and stability of the synthesized spherical nanoassemblies could allow for potential sensor applications of CdSe quantum dots in water.