Study on the interaction of CdTe quantum dots with ferulic acid and protocatechuic aldehyde by optical spectroscopy

► TGA coated CdTe QDs were synthesized in aqueous medium. ► Ferulic acid and protocatechuic aldehyde quenched the fluorescence of CdTe QDs. ► Adding BSA to quenching systems recovers the fluorescence of CdTe QDs.