An improved pyrolysis route to synthesize carbon-coated CdS quantum dots with fluorescence enhancement effect

Well-dispersed carbon-coated CdS (CdS@C) quantum dots were successfully prepared via the improved pyrolysis of bis(1-dodecanethiol)-cadmium(II) under nitrogen atmosphere. This simple method effectively solved the sintered problem resulted from conventional pyrolysis process. The experimental results indicated that most of the as-prepared nanoparticles displayed well-defined core-shell structures. The CdS cores with diameter of ∼5 nm exhibited hexagonal crystal phase, the carbon shells with thickness of ∼2 nm acted as a good dispersion medium to prevent CdS particles from aggregation, and together with CdS effectively formed a monodisperse CdS@Carbon nanocomposite. This composite presented a remarkable fluorescence enhancement effect, which indicated that the prepared nanoparticles might be a promising photoresponsive material or biosensor. This improved pyrolysis method might also offer a facile way to prepare other carbon-coated semiconductor nanostructures.

Graphical abstractWe demonstrated a facile approach to synthesize well-dispersed carbon-coated CdS quantum dots. The as-prepared nanoparticles presented remarkable fluorescence enhancement effect.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload as PowerPoint slideHighlights► Carbon-coated CdS quantum dots were synthesized by an one-step pyrolysis method. ► Well-dispersed CdS–carbon nanoparticles were obtained by an acid treatment process. ► As-prepared nanoparticles presented remarkable fluorescence enhancement effect.