Abstract: The rapid aqueous synthesis of CdTe quantum dots modified by thioglycolic acid(TGA) was stu-died through investigating and improving the factors which influence the synthesis. The control of photoluminescence properties was realized through systematically changing the volume of anhydrous ethanol and water, the temperature and the original pH value. The high-quality CdTe QDs with narrower full width at half maximum of photoluminescence spectra and larger quantum yield were obtained. Under the optimal condition(as the volume of anhydrous ethanol and water is 3 and 1 mL, original pH value is 8.0, the temperature is 40 ℃), the maximum quantum yield at room temperature is approximately 68%. A white precipitate emerged during reflux. After depositing for a week, the fluorescence intensity of the QDs with white precipitate was dramatically enhanced by 15% than that of the QDs which the white precipitate was removed. Besides, the white precipitate is preferable for the narrowing of the size distribution.

Key words: CdTe quantum dots, Rapid aqueous synthesis, Anhydrous ethanol-water, White precipitate