A novel fluorescent probe for adenosine 5′-triphosphate detection based on Zn2+-modulated l-cysteine capped CdTe quantum dots

In this work, we have designed a simple and sensitive fluorescence probe for adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) detection. A series of l-cysteine capped CdTe quantum dots (QDs) with different sizes were synthesized in aqueous phase. The effects of Zn2+ on different sizes of l-cysteine capped CdTe QDs were investigated and the fluorescence of CdTe with small size QDs could be effectively quenched due to the binding of Zn2+ to the l-cysteine on the...