摘要： Copper selenide quantum dot (CuSeQD) materials functionalised with mercaptoalkanoic acids {3-mercaptopropionic acid (3-MPA), 6-mercaptohexanoic acid (6-MHA) and mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA)} were synthesized by a reproducible aqueous colloidal technique at room temperature. The impact of the capping agents on the size and the crystallinity of the CuSeQD materials, were investigated by small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectroscopic techniques, respectively. SAXS results confirmed that 6-MHA-CuSeQD had the smallest average particle core size when dried, whereas MSA-CuSeQD had the smallest size in aqueous solution, though with a tendency to aggregate. Dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements indicated strong bonding of the capping agents to CuSe particles, with MSA being the weakest binding agent, confirmed by low Zeta potential(ζ = (cid:0) 31.1 mV) and high polydispersity index (0.469) values. UV-Vis absorption studies confirmed a large blue shift of the band gap for the QD compared to the bulk material, with characteristic absorption band (λ) and direct band gap (Egd) values being (λ = 435 nm, Egd = 5.6 eV) and (λ = 400 nm, Egd = 8.0 eV), (λ = 340 nm, Egd = 4.0 eV), for 6-MHA-CuSeQD, 3-MPA-CuSeQD and MSA-CuSeQD, respectively. As supported by the formal potential values for 6-MHA-CuSeQD (E0’ ? 120 mV), 3-MPA-CuSeQD (E0’ ? 159 mV) and MSA-CuSeQD (E0’ ? 183 mV), the smaller the particle size, the lower the potential required for the application of the quantum dots in an electron transfer process.