Study on the interaction of CdTe quantum dots with coumaric acid and caffeic acid based on fluorescence reversible tune

This paper describes the synthesis of CdTe quantum dots (QDs) together capped by glutathione and thioglycolic acid (GSH and TGA) in aqueous solution. The narrow photoluminescence (fwhm ≤ 40 nm) CdTe QDs, whose emission spans most of the visible spectrum from green through red, has a quantum yield (QY) of 68% at room temperature. GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs are characterized by various experimental techniques such as optical absorption, photoluminescence and AFM measurements. Coumaric acid and caffeic acid is able to quench the fluorescence of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs, and the fluorescence intensity is linearly proportional to the concentration of quenchers. The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) restores the fluorescence intensity of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs-coumaric acid system and GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs-caffeic acid system. The fluorescence recovery was due to the interaction of BSA with coumaric acid and caffeic acid, leading to the freeing of the GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs. The fluorescence quenching mechanism of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs was discussed. The binding constant and thermodynamics parameters of BSA–coumaric acid and BSA–caffeic acid during the binding process were calculated in the paper.

AFM images of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights
► GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs are well-dispersed and spherical.
► The fluorescence of CdTe QDs was found to be quenched notably by coumaric acid and caffeic acid.
► The addition of bovine serum albumin (BSA) restores the fluorescence intensity of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs-coumaric acid system and GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs-caffeic acid system.