Mercaptoethanol capped CdSe quantum dots and CdSe/ZnS core/shell: synthesis, characterization and cytotoxicity evaluation.

CdSe Quantum dots (Q-dots) and CdSe/ZnS core/shell have been synthesized by wet chemical route using mercaptoethanol (ME) as cappant. The synthesized Q-dots and core/shell were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS), Dynamic Light Scattering (DLS), Optical absorption and luminescence spectroscopy. The core/shell formation was confirmed by both XRD and TEM analysis. The luminescence was shown to be considerably enhanced in the core/shell sample. Effect of dialysis process on the optical properties of the Q-dots and core/shell has also been discussed. Cytotoxicity studies have been carried out for Q-dots and core/shell. CdSe/ZnS core/shell was found to be non-cytotoxic as compared to CdSe Q-dots up to a certain concentration range. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) coating enhances the non-cytotoxic nature of CdSe/ZnS core/shell when compared with bare core/shell.