Highly fluorescent fluoride-responsive hydrogels embedded with CdTe quantum dots.

Functionalized CdTe quantum dots (QDs) synthesized via ion exchange demonstrated a selective response toward fluoride in aqueous solutions based on a rapid sol-gel transition that was visible to the naked eye. The fluoride-induced hydrogel exhibited excellent fluorescent performance because of the incorporation of QDs. As a result, this highly fluorescent fluoride-induced hydrogel may pave a new way to sense fluoride using a visible sol-gel transition.