Novel method for the qualitative identification of chromium ions (III) using l-aspartic acid stabilized CdS quantum dots

In this study, l-aspartic acid stabilized CdS quantum dots (L-Asp-CdS QDs) were synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method and used for the qualitative identification of Cr3+. Cr3+ could be identified rapidly based on the formation of precipitated floccules using this method. Qualitative assessment indicated the resistance of this method to interference from various metal ions and it can be applied over a wide pH range with a qualitative determination limit of 1 μM. Moreover, we demonstrated that the L-Asp-CdS QDs can be employed for the practical detection of Cr3+ in water samples. L-Asp-CdS QDs synthesized via a simple hydrothermal method for the first time. L-Asp-CdS QDs exhibited high selectivity for Cr3+ ions and they are suitable for detecting Cr3+ in solutions containing interfering metal ions in practical applications with real water samples. [Display omitted] •l-aspartic acid stabilized CdS quantum dots (L-Asp-CdS QDs) synthesized.•One-step hydrothermal method employed for synthesis of L-Asp-CdS QDs.•L-Asp@CdS QDs used for qualitative detection of Cr3+.•L-Asp@CdS QDs exhibited good selectivity for Cr3+ and low detection limit.•L-Asp@CdS QDs can be used to detect Cr3+ in real water samples.