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Applied Physics A: Materials Science and Processing, vol.131, no.11, 2025 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
We report the green synthesis, structural characterization, optical measurements, and theoretical modeling of ZnSe and ZnSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) synthesized via a rapid aqueous method using thioglycolic acid (TGA) as a stabilizer. The synthesis was carried out at 90 °C and pH 8.5, employing zinc acetate, NaHSe as a selenium source, and thiourea for ZnS shell growth. X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis confirmed cubic-phase ZnSe with a dominant (111) peak, while ZnSe/ZnS core–shell samples exhibited additional peaks attributed to hexagonal ZnS, indicating successful passivation. Williamson–Hall analysis yields a core crystallite size of ~ 2.3 nm and reveals a compressive interfacial strain of − 2.2% in the core–shell heterostructure. Optical characterization via UV-Vis and photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy techniques showed redshift in both absorption and emission with increasing reaction time and temperature, consistent with quantum size effects and shell-induced modifications. Theoretical modeling by using modified Brus equation based on Kane’s effective mass approximation, and a recently developed thermoelastic strain theory quantitatively explained the bandgap evolution by accounting for size-dependent confinement and elastic strain at the core–shell interface. Calculated bandgap values showed strong agreement with experimental data: 3.67–3.71 eV from absorption and 3.39–3.41 eV from PL. The integration of green chemistry and strain-sensitive bandgap engineering underscores the potential of the QDs for low-toxicity optoelectronic and biosensing applications.