Preparation and characterization of CdTe@SiO2 core/shell luminescent composite nanoparticles

CdTe@SiO2 core/shell luminescent composite nanoparticles were synthesized by the method of reverse microemulsion to coat SiO2 on water-soluble CdTe QD (quantum dot) cores. And the properties of the as-prepared nanoparticles were characterized by different ways including ultraviolet spectra (UV-vis), fluorescence spectra (FL), FT-IR spectra, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). The results indicated that the as-prepared nanoparticles had a core/shell structure in which multi-QDs were encapsuled in a single composite nanoparticle. Moreover, the homogeneous nonoparticles had excellent water solubility as well as improved stability and photobleaching resistance. The approach introduced in this paper lays a solid foundation for the biological applications of the nanoparticles.