One pot synthesis of bi-linker stabilised CdSe quantum dots

In this study we exploited the classic Murray's synthesis for generating a hydrophilic CdSe quantum dot system in a single step procedure, with the aim of directly obtaining a material responding to the characteristic of polarity required in many end applications. 6-phosphonohexanoic acid was used as both ligand for generating the active monomer during the synthesis of the quantum dots and final stabiliser. Diffraction measurements identified the cubic phase of cadmium selenide. Energy dispersive spectroscopy analysis revealed non-stoichiometric quantum dots, being the Cd/Se ratio 60/40. This feature suggests a configuration in which Cd²⁺ ions are present on the nanocrystal surface. Diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform analysis was applied in order to investigate the structure of the quantum dot system: the results indicate a configuration in which the carboxylic function of 6-phosphonohexanoic acid establishes only a partial interaction with the quantum dot surface, being set in a pseudo-ester configuration.