Solvent-dependent nonlinear optical capabilities of CTAB-modified CdTe quantum dots probed by Z-scan technique

The study of quantum dots has opened up a plethora of possibilities for advanced applications in various fields. One crucial aspect of understanding these nanomaterials is exploring their nonlinear optical properties, which can be influenced by a range of factors, including the solvent environment in which they are dispersed during nonlinear optical tests. This paper delves into the effects of different solvents, namely ethanol, benzene, toluene, and chloroform, on the nonlinear optical capabilities of CTAB@CdTe quantum dots probed by the Z-scan technique when exposed to a continuous-wave Nd:YAG laser emitting at 532[Formula: see text]nm. High-quality water soluble TGA-capped CdTe quantum dots were successfully synthesized and subsequently modified for transfer in an organic solvent through a ligand exchange process using CTAB. The products were characterized using high-resolution transmission electron microscopy, UV–Vis spectroscopy, photoluminescence measurements, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The analysis revealed an average quantum dot size of approximately 3 nm. Furthermore, following the ligand exchange, the quantum dots exhibited excellent dispersion in the organic solvent, demonstrating the effectiveness of the modification process.