Three different size CdTe quantum dots (QDs) capped by 3-mercaptopropionic acid (MPA) have been prepared in aqueous solutions,and their interactions with Cu2+ and Hg2+ have been investigated.The opposite size-dependent fluorescence quenching of CdTe QDs by Hg2+ and Cu2+ was observed: Hg2+ quenched smaller particles more efficiently than larger ones while larger particles were more markedly quenched by Cu2+.Based on the different size responses,Hg2+ and Cu2+ were respectively detected with high sensitivity and selectivity,for the first time,using the QDs with different sizes but the same components and capping ligands.
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