D-penicillamine capped cadmium telluride quantum dots as a novel fluorometric sensor of copper(II)

D-penicillamine-capped cadmium telluride quantum dots (DPA-capped CdTe QDs) were synthesized as the new fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal in aqueous solution. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet-visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used for characterization of the QDs. Based on the quenching effect of Cu(2+) ions on the fluorescence intensity of DPA-capped CdTe QDs, a new fluorometric sensor for copper(II) detection was developed that showed good linearity over the concentration range 5 × 10(-9)-3 × 10(-6) M with the detection limit 0.4 × 10(-9) M. Owing to the strong affinity of the DPA to copper(II), the sensor showed appropriate selectivity for copper(II) compared with conventional QDs. The DPA-capped CdTe QDs was successfully applied for determination of Cu(2+) concentration in river, well and tap waters with satisfactory results.