| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 601018 | Colloids and Surfaces B: Biointerfaces | 2011 | 8 Pages |
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.
Graphical abstractAFM images of GSH/TGA-CdTe QDs.Figure optionsDownload full-size imageDownload 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.
