On the Generation of Free Radical Species from Quantum Dots

Abstract

Radical discoveries? Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) produce free radicals upon UV irradiation in aqueous solution. While CdS QDs generate superoxide and hydroxyl radicals, only the latter are produced from CdSe QDs. In contrast, CdSe/ZnS core/shell QDs, often applied in biolabeling applications, do not generate radicals.