In present work, we proposed a simple route to prepare fluorescent
CdS QDs with hexametaphosphate as templates, and adopted
the CdS QDs as a highly selective probe for the detection of Ca2+
and F−.
As shown in Scheme 1, the fluorescent CdS QDs was generated
in the presence of Cd2+ and S2− ions with hexametaphosphate as
stabilizers. The hexametaphosphate molecule containing six phosphate
groups could act as chelating groups for passivating the
surface of QDs, rendering them water-soluble and stable against
aggregation [29].
The protective coat of hexametaphosphate on the CdS QDs
ensures the hydrophilicity of CdS QDs and favors the further