A Facile Route to Aqueous Ag:ZnCdS and Ag:ZnCdSeS Quantum Dots: Pure Emission Color Tunable over Entire Visible Spectrum.

Aqueous Ag:ZnCdS quantum dots (QDs) are prepared based on a co-nucleation doping strategy using aqueous solutions of Cd(OAc)2, Zn(OAc)2 (in presence of mercaptopropionic acid; Cd:Zn molar ratio of 1:1), and AgNO3 at pH 7 to which a reactive S (and Se) powder precursor (hydrothermal S (Se) solution in presence of NaBH4) is given (autoclave, 180 °C, 2 h).