Synthesis of hydrophilic Ag₂Se quantum dots optically optimized by multivariate strategies: an easy one-pot approach

Abstract

A simple and fast aqueous synthesis of silver selenide quantum dots is proposed with the aid of multivariate optimization.

Enhancing the optical properties of hydrophilic Ag2Se NIR-II quantum dots by using chemometric approaches towards (bio)sensing applications

“…34 Similar results were also reported in the literature, with orthorhombic being a typical crystalline phase for Ag 2 Se. 10,21,24,35 Images obtained by transmission electron microscopy (Fig. 8) confirmed that the Ag 2 Se nanoparticles showed a spherical shape with a mean diameter of 6.0 AE 3.4 nm.…”

“…This broad absorption profile is typical of Ag 2 Se QDs and has been reported in the literature. 10,21 In general, for most samples that differ only by reaction time, the longer time (180 min) resulted in higher PL intensities, with little change in the absorption and PL emission profiles. Besides, for all the samples a wavelength emission higher than 900 nm was observed, similar to other works that report the preparation of Ag 2 Se-MPA.…”

“…The general synthetic protocol to prepare the nanocrystals of silver selenide was adapted from previous works. 10,17 It occurred as follows: 100 mL of AgNO 3 solution (0.25, 1.375, or 2.5 mmol L À1 ) was mixed with the appropriate amount of MPA, and the pH was adjusted with NaOH solution (2.0 mol L À1 ). The reaction mixture was placed under heating and stirring, and once thermal equilibrium was reached, the Na 2 SeO 3 solution (250 mmol L À1 ) was added.…”

“…Moreover, their relatively low solubility in water (K sp values: Ag 2 S = 6.3 Â 10 À50 ; Ag 2 Se = 2.0 Â 10 À64 ; Ag 2 Te = 2.0 Â 10 À72 ) makes them environmentally friendly and biocompatible. 10,11 Despite their potential, Ag 2 Se QDs have been relatively underexplored compared to their Ag 2 S counterparts, probably due to the more challenging synthesis for these QDs. 11,12 The preparation of QDs in water has some advantages when compared to other methods, like reduced environmental impact, cost-effectiveness, mild reaction conditions, and fewer steps for use in biological systems.…”

“…Moreover, their relatively low solubility in water ( K sp values: Ag 2 S = 6.3 × 10 −50 ; Ag 2 Se = 2.0 × 10 −64 ; Ag 2 Te = 2.0 × 10 −72 ) makes them environmentally friendly and biocompatible. 10,11 Despite their potential, Ag 2 Se QDs have been relatively underexplored compared to their Ag 2 S counterparts, probably due to the more challenging synthesis for these QDs. 11,12…”