Facile synthesis of cysteine and triethanolamine capped CdTe nanoparticles

Cysteine and triethanolamine capped CdTe nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple aqueous solution based method. This method involves the reaction of tellurium powder with sodium borohydride (NaBH4) in water to produce telluride ions (Te2−), followed by the simultaneous addition of an aqueous solution of cadmium chloride or other cadmium source (acetate, carbonate and nitrate) and solution of l-cysteine ethyl ester hydrochloride or triethanolamine. The effect of capping agent on the size, structure and morphology of the as-synthesized nanoparticles was investigated. The particles were characterized using optical spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution TEM (HRTEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy.

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► Cysteine and triethanolamine capped CdTe nanoparticles have been synthesized using a simple method.
► Both capping groups are effective for water soluble CdTe.
► The absorption and luminescence properties are reported.
► The electron microscopy results confirm the high quality of the material.