Hydrothermal synthesis of GSH-TGA co-capped CdTe quantum dots and their application in labeling colorectal cancer cells

► GSH and TGA co-capped CdTe QDs with good biocompatibility were synthesized. ► The prepared CdTe QDs show strong fluorescence and good optical stability. ► The QDs were conjugated with antibody ND-1 to label colorectal cancer cells.