Tuning of photoluminescence in cadmium selenide nanoparticles grown in CTAB based quaternary water-in-oil microemulsions

► CdSe nanoparticles synthesized in CTAB microemulsion exhibit strong photoluminescence. ► Photo-excitation above excitonic peak gives band gap emission, λmax 500 nm. ► Photo-excitation below excitonic peak gives trap state emission, λmax 580 nm. ► Photo-excitation closer to excitonic peak gives both emission peaks simultaneously. ► Intensities of these emission peaks could be tuned by [precursor] and w0 of microemulsions.