Preparation and characterization of water-soluble CdS nanocrystals by surface modification of ethylene diamine

The water-soluble CdS nanoparticles were obtained by hydrogen bond between the cadmium-thiolate complex on the surface of CdS nanoparticles and ethylene diamine (anhydrous). The modified CdS nanoparticles enhanced its solubility in H2O and alcohol. The ethylene diamine-capped CdS nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), photoluminescence (PL) and Ultraviolet-Visible absorption spectrum (UV-Vis spectrum). The absorption peak at 262 nm was observed, which belonged to ethylene diamine-modificated Cd-thiolate complex at the surface of as-grown CdS nanoparticles. The results of the PL spectra indicated that the modification of CdS nanoparticles reduced effectively the local surface-trap states. Based on the above results, a possible mechanism for the formation of the water-soluble CdS nanoparticles was discussed.