Manifested luminescence and magnetic responses of stoichiometry dependent Cd1 − xMnxSe quantum dots

•Thio-glycolic acid (TGA) coated Cd1−xMnxSe quantum dots have been prepared with varying x•Formation of QD heterostructure can be expected at a nonzero, but higher value of x.•The deep defect related emission can be attributed to VCd–VSe di-vacancies, which is dominant for smaller values of x.•An appreciable charge transfer between Mn2+ ions and capping agent TGA is anticipated.