Semiconductor nanomaterials like cadmium sulfide have interesting applications, consequent to their size-dependent optical properties. This compound is used as a pigment in papers, paint and it can also be found in solar cells. Due to the great use of these nanoparticles in society, there is a great concern in the scientific community about the potential toxicity of these nanomaterials in aquatic environments. According to this main problem, we have a theoretical assumption that the CdS particles in the nanoscale are more toxic than those in macroscale and in a greater concentration means greater toxicity. To verify its toxicity in the aquatic environment, first, we need to make sure the nanoparticles are soluble in water. Based in the mentioned before, the objectives of this research were: (i) synthesize cadmium sulfide quantum dots in the aqueous phase in presence of biocompatible molecules like L-Glutathione and N-Acetyl-L-cysteine, (ii) characterize the quantum dots optically, structurally and morphologically, (iii) evaluate the toxicity of cadmium sulfide in biological systems. Energy dispersive x-ray spectroscopy evidenced the chemical composition of produced nanostructures. The results we obtained of the CdS nanoparticles showed that the main absorption peak was at ~396 nm, this was observed in the emission spectrum and the photoluminescence spectrum which demonstrates a higher intensity with the cadmium sulfide N-acetyl-L-cysteine covered, with the main peak at ~550 nm. For the morphology and the size, we used samples of CdS N-acetyl-L-cysteine covered and there were carried out by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HR-TEM). In this way, nanoparticles were spherical and with a size around 3 nm. Previously, the presence of L-glutathione or N-acetyl-L-cysteine on the quantum dots surface was verified by Infrared spectroscopy. Therefore, the results evidence that the CDS covered with N-acetyl-L-cysteine had a negative interaction in marine organism at higher concentrations than 1000 ppm at 48 hours of contact with the nanoparticles. We concluded that the higher the concentration, the greater the toxicity. This studies of the toxicity in different life stages of biological systems will be of great impact to evaluate the physiologic development of marine organisms in the presence of nanomaterials.

Optical properties and nanotoxicology of fluorescent CdS quantum dots

Macromolecular Chemistry: The Second Century

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ACS Spring 2020 National Meeting & Expo

The official archive and repository for all ACS Meetings & Expositions abstracts and select posters or presentations.