Quantum dot light-emitting devices with electroluminescence tunable over the entire visible spectrum

Colloidal Multi-Dot Nanorods

Colloidal nanorod heterostructures consisting of multiple quantum dots within a nanorod (n-DNRs, where n is the number of quantum dots within a nanorod) are synthesized with alternating segments of CdSe "dot" and CdS "rod" via solution heteroepitaxy. The reaction temperature, time dependent ripening, and asymmetry of the wurtzite lattice and the resulting anisotropy of surface ligand steric hindrance are exploited to vary the morphology of the growing quantum dot segments. The alternating CdSe and CdS growth steps can be easily repeated to increment the dot number in unidirectional or bidirectional growth regimes. As an initial exploration of electron occupation effects on their optical properties, asymmetric 2-DNRs consisting of two dots of different lengths and diameters are synthesized and are shown to exhibit a change in color and an unusual photoluminescence quantum yield increase upon photochemical doping.

Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of the transport and retention of nanocrystal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in saturated porous media: Effects of electrolytes, organic ligand, and natural organic matter

This study explores the transport and retention of CdSe/ZnS quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles in water-saturated sand columns as a function of electrolytes (Na+ and Ca2+), ionic strength, organic ligand citrate, and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM). Numerical simulations were carried out to understand the mechanisms that govern the transport and interactions of QDs in porous media and to assess how environmental parameters impact these mechanisms. An increase in the ionic strength of NaCl and CaCl2 increased QDs retention in porous media. The reduction of the electrostatic interactions screened by dissolved electrolyte ions and the increase of divalent bridging effect are the causes for this enhanced retention behavior. Citrate or SRNOM enhanced QDs transport in NaCl and CaCl2 systems by either increasing the repulsion energy barrier or inducing the steric interactions between QDs and the quartz sand collectors. A non-exponential decay characterized the retention profiles of QDs along the distance to the inlet. The modeling results indicated the four models containing the attachment, detachment, and straining terms - Model 1: M1-attachment, Model 2: M2-attachment and detachment, Model 3: M3-straining, and Model 4: M4-attachment, detachment, and straining - closely simulated the observed breakthrough curves (BTCs) but inadequately described the retention profiles.

Lifetime enhancement in QDLEDs via an electron-blocking hole transport layer

This study investigates the impact of an engineered hole transport layer (HTL) on the stability of electroluminescent quantum dot light-emitting devices (QDLEDs). The 9-Phenyl-3,6-bis(9-phenyl-9Hcarbazol-3-yl)-9H-carbazole (Tris-PCz) HTL, which possesses a shallower lowest unoccupied molecular orbital (LUMO) energy level compared to the widely used 4,4'-bis(N-carbazolyl)-1,1'-biphenyl (CBP) HTL, is employed to confine electron overflow toward the HTL. Utilizing the Tris-PCz HTL results in a 20× improvement in the electroluminescence half-life (LT50) of QDLEDs compared with conventional QDLEDs using the CBP HTL. Electric and optoelectronic analyses reveal that the migration of excess electrons toward the HTL is impeded by the up-shifted LUMO level of Tris-PCz, contributing to prolonged operational device stability. Furthermore, the augmented electric field at the QD/Tris-PCz interface, due to accumulated electrons, expedites hole injection rates, leading to better charge injection balance and the confinement of the exciton recombination zone within the QD and thus the device stability enhancement. This study highlights the significant influence of the HTL on QDLED stability and represents one of the longest LT50 for a QDLED based on the conventional core/shell QD structure.

Enhanced performance of lead sulfide quantum dot-sensitized solar cells by controlling the thickness of metal halide perovskite shells

The metal halide perovskite CH3NH3PbI3 (MAP) can be applied as the shell layer of lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) for improving solar power conversion efficiency. However, basic physics for this PbS core/MAP shell QD system is still unclear and needs to be clarified to further improve efficiency. Therefore, in this study, we investigate how MAP shell thickness affects device performance and dynamics of charge carriers for PbS QD-sensitized solar cells. Covering the PbS QDs with the MAP shell layers of an appropriate thickness around 0.34 nm greatly suppresses charge carrier recombination at surface defects along with improved carrier transport to neighboring oxide and polymer layers. Therefore, this MAP shell thickness provides the highest open-circuit voltage, short-circuit current density, and fill factor for solar cells. Overall power conversion efficiencies of these solar cells reached about 4.1%, which is about six-fold higher than that for solar cells without MAP (about 0.7%). Additionally, use of the MAP shell layers can prevent oxidation of PbS QDs and, therefore, makes a degradation of solar cell performance slower in air.

Flexible Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Device for Emerging Multifunctional and Smart Applications

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), owing to their exceptional performances in device efficiency, color purity/tunability in the visible region and solution-processing ability on various substrates, become a potential candidate for flexible and ultrathin electroluminescent (EL) lighting and display. Moreover, beyond the lighting and display, flexible QLEDs are enabled with endless possibilities in the era of the internet of things and artificial intelligence by acting as input/output ports in wearable integrated systems. Challenges remain in the development of flexible QLEDs with the goals for high performance, excellent flexibility/even stretchability, and emerging applications. In this paper, the recent developments of QLEDs including quantum dot materials, working mechanism, flexible/stretchable strategies and patterning strategies, and highlight its emerging multifunctional integrations and smart applications covering wearable optical medical devices, pressure-sensing EL devices, and neural smart EL devices, are reviewed. The remaining challenges are also summarized and an outlook on the future development of flexible QLEDs made. The review is expected to offer a systematic understanding and valuable inspiration for flexible QLEDs to simultaneously satisfy optoelectronic and flexible properties for emerging applications.

Utilizing VO2 as a Hole Injection Layer for Efficient Charge Injection in Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Enables High Device Performance

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are promising devices for display applications. Polyethylenedioxythiophene:polystyrene sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS) is a common hole injection layer (HIL) material in optoelectronic devices because of its high conductivity and high work function. Nevertheless, PEDOT:PSS-based QLEDs have a high energy barrier for hole injection, which results in low device efficiency. Therefore, a new strategy is needed to improve the device efficiency. Herein, we have demonstrated a bilayer-HIL using VO₂ and a PEDOT:PSS-based QLED that exhibits an 18% external quantum efficiency (EQE), 78 cd/A current efficiency (CE), and 25,771 cd/m² maximum luminance. In contrast, the PEDOT:PSS-based QLED exhibits an EQE of 13%, CE of 54 cd/A, and maximum luminance of 14,817 cd/m². An increase in EQE was attributed to a reduction in the energy barrier between indium tin oxide (ITO) and PEDOT:PSS, caused by the insertion of a VO₂ HIL. Therefore, our results could demonstrate that using a bilayer-HIL is effective in increasing the EQE in QLEDs.

MicroLED/LED electro-optical integration techniques for non-display applications

MicroLEDs offer an extraordinary combination of high luminance, high energy efficiency, low cost, and long lifetime. These characteristics are highly desirable in various applications, but their usage has, to date, been primarily focused toward next-generation display technologies. Applications of microLEDs in other technologies, such as projector systems, computational imaging, communication systems, or neural stimulation, have been limited. In non-display applications which use microLEDs as light sources, modifications in key electrical and optical characteristics such as external efficiency, output beam shape, modulation bandwidth, light output power, and emission wavelengths are often needed for optimum performance. A number of advanced fabrication and processing techniques have been used to achieve these electro-optical characteristics in microLEDs. In this article, we review the non-display application areas of the microLEDs, the distinct opto-electrical characteristics required for these applications, and techniques that integrate the optical and electrical components on the microLEDs to improve system-level efficacy and performance.

Advances in Solution-Processed Blue Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) have been identified as a next-generation display technology owing to their low-cost manufacturing, wide color gamut, and electrically driven self-emission properties. However, the efficiency and stability of blue QLEDs still pose a significant challenge, limiting their production and potential application. This review aims to analyse the factors leading to the failure of blue QLEDs and presents a roadmap to accelerate their development based on the progress made in the synthesis of II-VI (CdSe, ZnSe) quantum dots (QDs), III-V (InP) QDs, carbon dots, and perovskite QDs. The proposed analysis will include discussions on material synthesis, core-shell structures, ligand interactions, and device fabrication, providing a comprehensive overview of these materials and their development.

Highly multicolored light-emitting arrays for compressive spectroscopy

Miniaturized, multicolored light-emitting device arrays are promising for applications in sensing, imaging, computing, and more, but the range of emission colors achievable by a conventional light-emitting diode is limited by material or device constraints. In this work, we demonstrate a highly multicolored light-emitting array with 49 different, individually addressable colors on a single chip. The array consists of pulsed-driven metal-oxide-semiconductor capacitors, which generate electroluminescence from microdispensed materials spanning a diverse range of colors and spectral shapes, enabling facile generation of arbitrary light spectra across a broad wavelength range (400 to 1400 nm). When combined with compressive reconstruction algorithms, these arrays can be used to perform spectroscopic measurements in a compact manner without diffractive optics. As an example, we demonstrate microscale spectral imaging of samples using a multiplexed electroluminescent array in conjunction with a monochrome camera.

Frontal Polymerizations: From Chemical Perspectives to Macroscopic Properties and Applications

The synthesis and processing of most thermoplastics and thermoset polymeric materials rely on energy-inefficient and environmentally burdensome manufacturing methods. Frontal polymerization is an attractive, scalable alternative due to its exploitation of polymerization heat that is generally wasted and unutilized. The only external energy needed for frontal polymerization is an initial thermal (or photo) stimulus that locally ignites the reaction. The subsequent reaction exothermicity provides local heating; the transport of this thermal energy to neighboring monomers in either a liquid or gel-like state results in a self-perpetuating reaction zone that provides fully cured thermosets and thermoplastics. Propagation of this polymerization front continues through the unreacted monomer media until either all reactants are consumed or sufficient heat loss stalls further reaction. Several different polymerization mechanisms support frontal processes, including free-radical, cat- or anionic, amine-cure epoxides, and ring-opening metathesis polymerization. The choice of monomer, initiator/catalyst, and additives dictates how fast the polymer front traverses the reactant medium, as well as the maximum temperature achievable. Numerous applications of frontally generated materials exist, ranging from porous substrate reinforcement to fabrication of patterned composites. In this review, we examine in detail the physical and chemical phenomena that govern frontal polymerization, as well as outline the existing applications.

Ultrahigh-resolution quantum dot patterning for advanced optoelectronic devices

Quantum dots have attracted significant scientific interest owing to their optoelectronic properties, which are distinct from their bulk counterparts. In order to fully utilize quantum dots for next generation devices with advanced functionalities, it is important to fabricate quantum dot colloids into dry patterns with desired feature sizes and shapes with respect to target applications. In this review, recent progress in ultrahigh-resolution quantum dot patterning technologies will be discussed, with emphasis on the characteristic advantages as well as the limitations of diverse technologies. This will provide guidelines for selecting suitable tools to handle quantum dot colloids throughout the fabrication of quantum dot based solid-state devices. Additionally, epitaxially fabricated single-particle level quantum dot arrays are discussed. These are extreme in terms of pattern resolution, and expand the potential application of quantum dots to quantum information processing.

Improving the performance of quantum dot light-emitting diodes by tailoring QD emitters

As the emitters of quantum dots (QDs) light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), QDs, which are responsible for the charge injection, charge transportation, and especially exciton recombination, play a significant role in QLEDs. With the crucial advances made in QDs, such as the advancement of synthetic methods and the understanding of luminescence mechanisms, QLEDs also demonstrate a dramatic improvement. Until now, efficiencies of 30.9%, 28.7% and 21.9% have been achieved in red, green and blue devices, respectively. However, in QLEDs, some issues are still to be solved, such as the imbalance of charge injection and exciton quenching processes (defect-assisted recombination, Auger recombination, energy transfer and exciton dissociation under a high electric field). In this review, we will provide an overview of recent advances in the study and understanding of the working mechanism of QLEDs and the exciton quenching mechanism of QDs in devices. Particular emphasis is placed on improving charge injection and suppressing exciton quenching. An in-depth understanding of this progress may help develop guidelines to direct QLED development.

Review: Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes

Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) are one of the most promising self-emissive displays in terms of light-emitting efficiency, wavelength tunability, and cost. Future applications using QD-LEDs can cover a range from a wide color gamut and large panel displays to augmented/virtual reality displays, wearable/flexible displays, automotive displays, and transparent displays, which demand extreme performance in terms of contrast ratio, viewing angle, response time, and power consumption. The efficiency and lifetime have been improved by tailoring the QD structures and optimizing the charge balance in charge transport layers, resulting in theoretical efficiency for unit devices. Currently, longevity and inkjet-printing fabrication of QD-LEDs are being tested for future commercialization. In this Review, we summarize significant progress in the development of QD-LEDs and describe their potential compared to other displays. Furthermore, the critical elements to determine the performance of QD-LEDs, such as emitters, hole/electron transport layers, and device structures, are discussed comprehensively, and the degradation mechanisms of the devices and the issues of the inkjet-printing process were also investigated.

Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Exhibiting Narrow-Spectrum Green Electroluminescence by Using Ag-In-Ga-S/GaSx Quantum Dots

Quantum dots (QDs), which have high color purity, are expected to be applied as emitting materials to wide-color-gamut displays. To enable their use as an alternative to Cd-based QDs, it is necessary to improve the properties of QDs composed of low-toxicity materials. Although multielement QDs such as Ag-In-Ga-S are prone to spectrally broad emission from defect sites, a core/shell structure covered with a GaS_x shell is expected to enable sharp emission from band-edge transitions. Here, QD light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) embedded with Ag-In-Ga-S/GaS_x core/shell QDs (AIGS QDs) were fabricated, and their electroluminescence (EL) was observed. The EL spectra from the AIGS QD-LEDs were found to contain a large defect-related emission component not observed in the photoluminescence (PL) spectra of the AIGS QD films. This defect-related emission was caused by electrons injected into defect sites in the QDs. Therefore, the AIGS QDs and the electron injection layer (EIL) of ZnMgO were treated with Ga compounds such as gallium chloride (GaCl₃) and gallium tris(N,N'-diethyldithiocarbamate) (Ga(DDTC)₃) to improve the luminescence properties of the QD-LEDs. The added Ga compounds effectively compensated for defect sites on the surface of the QDs and suppressed direct electron injection from the EIL into defect sites. As a result, the defect-related emission components in the EL were successfully suppressed, and the EL exhibited a color purity comparable to the PL of the AIGS QD films. The QD-LEDs exhibited EL spectra with a full width at half-maximum of 33 nm, which is extremely sharp for a low-toxicity QD, and the chromaticity coordinates (0.260, 0.695) for green EL were achieved.

Efficient single-component white light emitting diodes enabled by lanthanide ions doped lead halide perovskites via controlling Förster energy transfer and specific defect clearance

Currently, a major challenge for metal-halide perovskite light emitting diodes (LEDs) is to achieve stable and efficient white light emission due to halide ion segregation. Herein, we report a promising method to fabricate white perovskite LEDs using lanthanide (Ln³⁺) ions doped CsPbCl₃ perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs). First, K⁺ ions are doped into the lattice to tune the perovskite bandgap by partially substituting Cs⁺ ions, which are well matched to the transition energy of some Ln³⁺ ions from the ground state to the excited state, thereby greatly improving the Förster energy transfer efficiency from excitons to Ln³⁺ ions. Then, creatine phosphate (CP), a phospholipid widely found in organisms, serves as a tightly binding surface-capping multi-functional ligand which regulates the film formation and enhances the optical and electrical properties of PeNC film. Consequently, the Eu³⁺ doped PeNCs based-white LEDs show a peak luminance of 1678 cd m^-2 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 5.4%, demonstrating excellent performance among existing white PeNC LEDs from a single chip. Furthermore, the method of bandgap modulation and the defect passivation were generalized to other Ln³⁺ ions doped perovskite LEDs and successfully obtained improved electroluminescence (EL). This work demonstrates the comprehensive and universal strategies in the realization of highly efficient and stable white LEDs via single-component Ln³⁺ ions doped PeNCs, which provides an optimal solution for the development of low-cost and simple white perovskite LEDs.

Luminous Self-Assembled Fibers of Azopyridines and Quantum Dots Enabled by Synergy of Halogen Bond and Alkyl Chain Interactions

Herein, a simple approach for the fabrication of luminous self-assembled fibers based on halogen-bonded azopyridine complexes and oleic acid-modified quantum dots (QDs) is reported. The QDs uniformly align on the edge of the self-assembled fibers through the formation of van der Waals force between the alkyl chain of oleic acid on the QD surface and the alkyl chain of the halogen-bonded complexes, 15Br or 15I. Furthermore, the intermolecular interaction mechanism was elucidated by using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. This approach results in retention of the fluorescence properties of the QDs in the fibers. In addition, the bromine-bonded fibers can be assembled into tailored directional fibers upon evaporation of the solvent (tetrahydrofuran) when using capillaries via the capillary force. Interestingly, the mesogenic properties of the halogen-bonded complexes are preserved in the easily prepared halogen-bonded fluorescent fibers; this provides new insight into the design of functional self-assembly materials.

Noninvasive and Direct Patterning of High-Resolution Full-Color Quantum Dot Arrays by Programmed Microwetting

Although the commercialization of electroluminescent quantum-dot (QD) displays essentially demands multicolor patterning of QDs with sufficient scalability and uniformity, the implementation of QD patterning in a light-emitting diode device is highly challenging, mainly due to the innate vulnerability of QDs and charge-transport layers. Here, we introduce a noninvasive surface-wetting approach for patterning full-color QD arrays on a photoprogrammed hole-transport layer (HTL). To achieve noninvasiveness of QD patterning, surface-specific modification of HTLs was performed without degrading their performance. Moreover, engineering the solvent evaporation kinetics allows area-selective wetting of QD patterns with a uniform thickness profile. Finally, multicolor QD patterning was enabled by preventing cross-contamination between different QD colloids via partial fluoro-encapsulation of earlier-patterned QDs. Throughout the overall QD patterning process, the optoelectronic properties of QDs and hole-transport layers are well preserved, and prototype electroluminescent quantum dot light-emitting diode arrays with high current efficiency and brightness were realized.

Quantum Mechanical Analysis Based on Perturbation Theory of CdSe/ZnS Quantum-Dot Light-Emission Properties

A simulation of quantum dot (QD) energy levels was designed to reproduce a quantum mechanical analytic method based on perturbation theory. A Schrödinger equation describing an electron-hole pair in a QD was solved, in consideration of the heterogeneity of the material parameters of the core and shell. The equation was solved numerically using single-particle basis sets to obtain the eigenstates and energies. This approach reproduced an analytic solution based on perturbation theory, while the calculation was performed using a numerical method. Owing to the effectiveness of the method, QD behavior according to the core diameter and external electric field intensity could be investigated reliably and easily. A 9.2 nm diameter CdSe/ZnS QD with a 4.2 nm diameter core and 2.5 nm thick shell emitted a 530 nm green light, according to an analysis of the effects of core diameter on energy levels. A 4 nm redshift at 5.4×105 V/cm electric field intensity was found while investigating the effects of external electric field on energy levels. These values agree well with previously reported experimental results. In addition to the energy levels and light emission wavelengths, the spatial distributions of wavefunctions were obtained. This analysis method is widely applicable for studying QD characteristics with varying structure and material compositions and should aid the development of high-performance QD technologies.

High-Luminescence Electrospun Polymeric Microfibers In Situ Embedded with CdSe Quantum Dots with Excellent Environmental Stability for Heat and Humidity Wearable Sensors

In this paper, hydrophobic luminescent CdSe quantum dots are successfully dispersed in a mixture of styrene and methyl methacrylate through the oleic to methacrylic acid ligand exchange. Further in situ solution polymerization of the quantum dots in a mixture of styrene and methyl methacrylate followed by electrospinning allowed us to prepare luminescence hybrid styrene-co-methyl methacrylate fibers embedded with quantum dots. CdSe@P(S+MMA) hybrid fibers with 27% quantum yield showed excellent moisture, heat and salt resistance with a photoluminescence output below 120 °C. When dry heated, the hybrid fibers of the fluorescence signals decreased with temperature to 79%, 40%, 28%, 20% and 13% at 120 °C, 140 °C, 160 °C, 180 °C and 200 °C, respectively, due the to the chemical degradation of CdSe QDs. Such hybrid fibers show the potential to manufacture wearable moisture- and heat-sensing protective clothing in a 120–200 °C range due to the thermal-induced quenching of quantum dot photoluminescence.

Colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics of nanocrystal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in aqueous systems: Effects of ionic strength, electrolyte type, and natural organic matter

Understanding the stability and aggregation of nanoparticles in aqueous milieu is critical for assessing their behavior in the natural and engineered environmental systems and establishing their threat to human and ecosystems health. In this study, the colloidal stability and aggregation kinetics of nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) —CdSe/ZnS QDs—were thoroughly explored under a wide range of aqueous environmental conditions. The z-average hydrodynamic diameters (z-avg. HDs) and zeta potential (ξ potential) of CdSe/ZnS QDs were measured in monovalent electrolyte (NaCl) and divalent electrolyte (CaCl2) solutions in both the absence and presence of natural organic matter (NOM)—Suwannee River natural organic matter, SRNOM to assess the dynamic growth of these nanoaggregate-QD-complexes, and the evaluation of their colloidal stability. Results show that CaCl2 was more effective to destabilize the QDs compared to NaCl at similar concentrations. An increase in NaCl concentration from 0.01 to 3.5 M increased the z-avg. HD of QD aggregates from 61.4 nm to 107.2 nm. The aggregation rates of QDs increased from 0.007 to 0.042 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.5 to 3.5 M NaCl solutions, respectively. In the presence of Na+ cations, the aggregation of QDs was limited as steric forces generated by the original surface coating of QDs prevailed. In the presence of CaCl2, the aggregation of QDs was observed at a low concentration of CaCl2 (0.0001 M) with a z-avg. HD of 74.2 nm that significantly increased when the CaCl2 was higher than 0.002 M. Larger sizes of QD aggregates were observed at each level of CaCl2 concentration in suspensions of 0.002–0.1 M, as the z-avg. HDs of QDs increased from 125.1 to 560.4 nm, respectively. In the case of CaCl2, an increase in aggregation rates occurred from 0.035 to 0.865 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.0001 M to 0.004 M, respectively. With Ca2+ cations, the aggregation of QDs was enhanced due to the bridging effects from the formation of complexes between Ca2+ cations in solution and the carboxyl group located on the surface coating of QDs. In the presence of SRNOM, the aggregation of QDs was enhanced in both monovalent and divalent electrolyte solutions. The degree of aggregation formation between QDs through cation-NOM bridges was superior for Ca2+ cations compared to Na+ cations. The presence of SRNOM resulted in a small increase in the size of the QD aggregates for each of NaCl concentrations tested (i.e., 0.01 to 3.5 M, except 0.1 M), and induced a monodispersed and narrower size distribution of QDs suspended in the monovalent electrolyte NaCl concentrations. In the presence of SRNOM, the aggregation rates of QDs increased from 0.01 to 0.024 nm 1 with the increase of NaCl concentrations from 0.01 to 2 M, respectively. The presence of SRNOM in QDs suspended in divalent electrolyte CaCl2 solutions enhanced the aggregation of QDs, resulting in the increase of z-avg. HDs of QDs by approximately 19.3%, 42.1%, 13.8%, 1.5%, and 24.8%, at CaCl2 concentrations of 0.002, 0.003, 0.005, 0.01, and 0.1 M, respectively. In the case of CaCl2, an increase in aggregation rates occurred from 0.035 to 0.865 nm·s−1 with an increase in ionic strength from 0.0001 to 0.004 M, respectively. Our findings demonstrated the colloidal stability of QDs and cations-NOM-QD nanoparticle complexes under a broad spectrum of conditions encountered in the natural and engineered environment, indicating and the potential risks from these nanoparticles in terms of human and ecosystem health.

Ligand Interactions and Nanoparticle Shapes Guide the Pathways toward Interfacial Self-Assembly

Non-equilibrium molecular dynamics simulations are used to probe the driving forces behind the formation of highly ordered, epitaxially connected superlattices of polyhedral-shaped nanoparticles (NPs) at fluid-fluid interfaces. By explicitly modeling coarse-grained ligands that cap the NP surface, it is shown that differences in NP shapes and time-dependent facet-specific ligand densities give rise to drastically different transformation mechanisms. Our results indicate that the extent of screening of the inter-particle interactions by the surrounding solvation environment has a significant impact on reversibility and ultimately the coherence of the final two-dimensional superlattice obtained. For the particle shapes examined, a hexagonal pre-assembly and a square superlattice final assembly (upon preferential ligand desorption from {100} facets) were prevalent; however, cuboctahedral NPs formed intermediate epitaxially bonded branched clusters, which eventually grew and rearranged into a square lattice; in contrast, truncated octahedral NPs exhibited an abrupt rhombic-to-square transition driven by the clustering of their numerous {111}-ligands that favored the stacking of linear NP rods. To track the incipient order in the system, we also outline a set of novel order parameters that measure the local orientation alignment between nearest-neighbor pairs. The simulation protocols advanced in this work could pave the way forward for exploration of the vast phase space associated with the interfacial self-assembly of NPs.

Confocal laser scanning microscopy study of intercellular events in filopodia using 3-mercaptopropoinc acid capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots

Physico-chemical mobility of cells in three dimensions is dependent on the development of filipodia, which is the fundamental instinct for survival and other cellular functions in live cells. Specifically, our present research paper describes the synthesis of 3-Mercaptopropoinc acid (MPA) capped CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs), which are biocompatible and utilized for cellular bioimaging applications. Using the pancreatic cell lines BXCP3 cells, we successfully demonstrated the applicability of MPA-capped QDs for intercellular filopodia imaging. Employing these QDs, we examined the dynamics of filopodia formation in real-time along the Z-axis by using confocal laser microscopy.

Dibenzo[d,d′]benzo[2,1-b:3,4-b′]difurans with extended π-conjugated chains: synthetic approaches and properties

Ru-Catalysed reaction of 3,8-di(hexyn-1-yl)dibenzo[d,d']benzo[2,1-b,3,4-b′]difuran [3,8-di(hexyn-1-yl)-DBBDF] with 2 equivalents of methyl (E)-penta-2,4-dienoate produces 3,8-bis[(1E,3E,5E)-2-butyl-6-methoxycarbonylhexa-1,3,5-trien-1-yl]-DBBDF (9a).

Near-Ergodic CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystal with Minimal Statistical Aging

Optical robustness, uniformity, ergodicity, statistical aging, etc. dictate the applicability of nanocrystals. Based on a series of multimodal statistical analyses such as the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Lévy statistics, etc., we demonstrate that for CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs): (a) the extent of heterogeneity in the quality and associated physical processes is minimal; (b) the optical robustness is very high, and (c) indeed, a single PNC can depict optical behavior of its ensemble. In addition, toward prospective applications, an optically robust CsPbBr₃ PNC exhibits (i) near-ergodicity and (ii) minimal statistical aging, which are extremely vital and complementary to its high defect tolerance.

Salts of Tris(pentafluoroethyl)silylchalcogenolates [Si(C2F5)3E]- with E = S, Se, and Te: Synthesis, Structure, and Reactivity

Unlike silanolates [SiR₃O]^- (R = alkyl, aryl), which have been intensely studied, the heavier derivatives [SiR₃E]^- (E = S, Se, Te) have been much less examined. Among such species, virtually nothing is known about perfluoroalkyl-substituted silylchalcogenolates. In this contribution, a convenient synthesis of tris(pentafluoroethyl)silylchalcogenolate salts [{(Et₂N)₃P═N}₃PN(H)^tBu][Si(C₂F₅)₃E] (E = S, Se, Te; ^tBu = tert-butyl) is presented. All representatives were isolated and fully characterized by multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, elemental analysis, and X-ray diffraction studies. Furthermore, first reactivity studies of these novel species toward selected metal halide complexes were performed. In this course, metal complexes [HgPh{SSi(C₂F₅)₃}] (2) and [Au(PPh₃){SSi(C₂F₅)₃}] (3) were isolated and characterized.

Optical properties of fully inorganic core/gradient-shell CdSe/CdZnS nanocrystals at the ensemble and single-nanocrystal levels

We report the synthesis and optical characterization of fully inorganic gradient-shell CdSe/CdZnS nanocrystals (NCs) with high luminescence quantum yield (QY, 50%), which were obtained by replacing native oleic-acid (OA) ligands with halide ions (Cl^-and Br^-). Absorption, photoluminescence excitation (PLE) and photoluminescence (PL) spectra in solution were unaffected by the ligand-exchange procedure. The halide-capped NCs were stable in solution for several weeks without modification of their PL spectra; once deposited as unprotected thin films and exposed to air, however, they did show signs of aging which we attribute to increasing heterogeneity of (effective) NC size. Time-resolved PL measurements point to the existence of four distinct emissive states, which we attribute to neutral, singly-charged and multi-excitonic entities. We found that the relative contribution of these four components to the overall PL decay is modified by the OA-to-halide ligand exchange, while the excited-state lifetimes themselves, surprisingly, remain largely unaffected. The high PL quantum yield of the halide-capped NCs allowed observation of single particle blinking and photon-antibunching; one surprising result was that aging processes that occurs during the first few days after deposition on glass seemed to offer a certain increased protection against photobleaching. These results suggest that halide-capped CdSe/CdZnS NCs are promising candidates for incorporation into opto-electronic devices, based on, for example, hybrid perovskite matrices, which require eliminating the steric hindrance and electronic barrier of bulky organic ligands to ensure efficient coupling.

Origin of photoluminescence of water-soluble CuInS2 quantum dots prepared via a hydrothermal method

This study was performed to investigate the origin of the photoluminescence (PL) properties of hydrothermally-synthesized water-soluble CuInS₂ (CIS) quantum dots (QDs). The corresponding PL decay profiles, time-resolved PL spectra, and excitation intensity dependence of the PL spectra were evaluated. The decay profiles exhibited a strong dependence on the detection energy, and the peak of the time-resolved PL spectra shifted to lower energies with increasing time. With increasing excitation light intensity, the PL peak shifted to the high-energy side. These experimental results were consistent with the characteristics of donor–acceptor pair emission. The PL properties of Cu-doped and non-doped CdSe QDs, which show Cu-related and defect-related PL emission, respectively, were compared. Based on these results, it was concluded that donor–acceptor pair emission is the underlying mechanism of the PL of the hydrothermally-synthesized water-soluble CIS QDs.

The donor–acceptor pair emission is the underlying mechanism of the PL of the hydrothermally-synthesized water-soluble CIS QDs.

Comparative Study of Red/Green/Blue Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes by Time-Resolved Transient Electroluminescence

To understand the electronic processes in quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), a comparative study was performed by time-resolved transient electroluminescence (TREL). We fabricated red, green, and blue (R-, G-, and B-) QLEDs with poly(9,9-dioctylfluorene-co-N-(4-sec-butylphenyl)diphenylamine) as the hole-transporting layer with conventional structures. The external quantum efficiency (EQE) and current efficiency were 19.2% and 22.7 cd A^-1 for R-QLEDs, 21.1% and 93.3 cd A^-1 for G-QLEDs, and 10.6% and 10.4 cd A^-1 for B-QLEDs, respectively. The TREL results for B-QLEDs were remarkably different from those for R- and G-QLEDs because of the insufficient electron injection crossing the type II heterojunction between the emission layer and the electron-transporting layer. We further applied poly(N-vinylcarbazole) as the hole-transporting layer and obtained much better performance for B-QLEDs, with EQE and current efficiency of 15.9% and 15.4 cd A^-1, respectively. Concomitant with the increase in EQE are an increase in the turn-on voltage from 2.3 to 3.7 V and a transient electroluminescence spike after voltage turn-off.

Balanced charge transport and enhanced performance of blue quantum dot light-emitting diodes via electron transport layer doping

The unbalanced charge transport is always a key influencing factor on the device performance of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), particularly for the blue QLEDs due to their large optical band gap. Here, a method of electron transport layer (ETL) doping was developed to regulate the energy levels and the carrier mobility of the ETL, which resulted in more balanced charge injection, transport and recombination in the blue emitting CdZnS/ZnS core/shell QLEDs. Consequently, an enhanced performance of blue QLEDs was achieved by modulating the charge balance through ETL doping. The maximum external quantum efficiency and luminance was dramatically increased from 2.2% to 7.3% and from 3786 cd m^-2to 9108 cd m^-2, respectively. The results illustrate that charge transport layer doping is a simple and effective strategy to regulate the charge injection barrier and carrier mobility of QLEDs.

Enhancing the efficiency of solution-processed inverted quantum dot light-emitting diodes via ligand modification with 6-mercaptohexanol

In this Letter, the surface hydrophilicity of the quantum dot (QD) emitting layer (EML) was modified via a ligand exchange to prevent QD EML damage upon hole transport layer (HTL) deposition for all-solution-processed inverted QD-light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). The conventional hydrophobic oleic acid ligand (OA-QDs) was partially replaced with a hydrophilic 6-mercaptohexanol (OH-QDs) through a one-pot ligand exchange. Owing to this replacement, the contact angle of a water droplet on the OH-QD films was reduced to 71.7° from 89.5° on the OA-QD films, indicating the conversion to hydrophilic hydroxyl ligands. The OH-QD EML maintained its integrity without any noticeable damage, even after HTL deposition, enabling all-solution processing for inverted QLEDs with well-organized multilayers. Inverted QLEDs with the OH-QD EMLs were compared with those with OA-QD EMLs; the maximum current efficiency of the device with the OH-QD EML significantly improved to 39.0 cd A^-1 from 5.3 cd A^-1, and the peak external quantum efficiency improved to 9.3% from 1.2%, which is a seven-fold increase over the OA-QD device. This approach is believed to be effective for forming solid QD films with resistance to chlorobenzene, a representative HTL solvent, and consequently contributes to high-efficiency all-solution-processed inverted QLEDs.

Experimental measurements and numerical simulations of the transport and retention of nanocrystal CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in saturated porous media: effects of pH, organic ligand, and natural organic matter

The risks of environmental exposures of quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles are increasing, but these risks are difficult to assess because fundamental questions remain about factors affecting the mobility of QDs. The objective of this study is to help address this shortcoming by evaluating the physico-chemical mechanisms controlling the transport and retention of CdSe/ZnS QDs under various environmental conditions. The approach was to run a series of laboratory-scale column experiments where QDs were transported through saturated porous media with different pH values and concentrations of citrate and Suwannee River natural organic matter (SRNOM). Numerical simulations were then conducted and compared with the laboratory data in order to evaluate parameters controlling transport. QD suspensions were injected into the column in an upward direction and ICP-MS used to analyze Cd²⁺ concentrations (C) in column effluent and sand porous media samples. The increase in the background solution pH values enhanced the QD transport and decreased the QD retention. QD transport recovery percentages obtained from the column effluent samples were 2.6%, 83.2%, 101.7%, 96.5%, and 98.9%, at pH levels of 1.5, 3.5, 5, 7, and 9, respectively. The effects of citrate and SRNOM on the transport and retention of QDs were pH dependent as reflected in the influence of the electrostatic and steric interactions between QDs and sand surfaces. QDs were mobile under unfavorable deposition conditions at environmentally relevant pHs (i.e., 5, 7, and 9). Under favorable pH conditions for deposition (i.e., 1.5), QDs were completely retained within the porous media. The retention profiles of QDs showed a non-exponential decay with distance to the inlet, attributed to multiple deposition rates caused by the QD particles and surface heterogeneities of the quartz silica sand. Results of the diameter ratios of QDs to the median sand grains, in suspensions of DI water at pH 1.5, of citrate at pH 1.5, and of citrate at pH 3.5 indicate straining as the dominating mechanism for QD retention in porous media. The blocking effect and straining were significant under favorable deposition conditions and the detachment effect was non-negligible under unfavorable deposition conditions. Physico-chemical attachment and straining are the governing mechanisms that control the retention of QDs. Overall, experimental results indicate that aggregation, deposition, straining, blocking, and DLVO-type interactions affect the advective transport and retention of QDs in saturated porous media. The simulations were conducted using models that include terms describing attachment, detachment, and straining terms-model 1: M1-attachment, model 2: M2-attachment and detachment, model 3: M3-straining, and model 4: M4-attachment, detachment, and straining. The results from simulations with M2-attachment and detachment and M4-attachment, detachment, and straining matched best the observed breakthrough curves, but all four models inadequately described the retention profiles. Our findings demonstrate that QDs are mobile in porous media under a wide range of physico-chemical conditions representative of the natural environment. The mobility behavior of QDs in porous media indicated the potential risk of soil and groundwater contamination.

Direct Writing Large-Area Multi-Layer Ultrasmooth Films by an All-Solution Process: Toward High-Performance QLEDs

With increasing the film area/layer, deteriorating in both smoothness and uniformity of thin-films frequently happen, which remains a barrier for making large-area quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) by solution processes. Here, we demonstrated a facile all-solution process guided by the conical fiber array to write multi-layer ultrasmooth thin-films directly in centimeter scale. The side-by-side fibrous array helps to align surface tensions at the tri-phase contact line to facilitate large-area homogeneous deposition, which was verified by theoretical simulation. The Laplace pressure along individual conical fiber contributes to the steady liquid transfer. Thin-films with small roughness (<2.03 nm) and large-area (2×2 cm² ) uniformity were prepared sequentially on the target substrate, leading to large-area high-performance QLEDs. The result offers new insights for fabricating large-area high-performance thin-film devices.

Room temperature synthesis of low-dimensional rubidium copper halide colloidal nanocrystals with near unity photoluminescence quantum yield

Metal lead halide perovskite nanocrystals have emerged as promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. However, the inclusion of toxic lead is a major concern for the commercial viability of these materials. Herein, we introduce a new family of non-toxic reduced dimension Rb₂CuX₃ (X = Br, Cl) colloidal nanocrystals with one-dimensional crystal structure consisting [CuX₄]^3- ribbons isolated by Rb⁺ cations. These nanocrystals were synthesised using a room-temperature method under ambient conditions, which makes them cost effective and scalable. Phase purity quantification was confirmed by Rietveld refinement of powder X-ray diffraction and corroborated by ⁸⁷Rb MAS NMR technique. Both samples also exhibited high thermal stability up to 500 °C, which is essential for optoelectronic applications. Rb₂CuBr₃ and Rb₂CuCl₃ display PL emission peaks at 387 nm and 400 nm with high PLQYs of ∼100% and ∼49%, respectively. Lastly, the first colloidal synthesis of quantum-confined rubidium copper halide-based nanocrystals opens up a new avenue to exploit their optical properties in lighting technology as well as water sterilisation and air purification.

Composition-tuned MAPbBr3 nanoparticles with addition of Cs+ cations for improved photoluminescence

Hybrid organic–inorganic lead halide perovskite nanoparticles are promising candidates for optoelectronic applications. This investigation describes the structural and optical properties of MA_xCs_1−xPbBr₃ mixed cation colloidal nanoparticles spanning the complete compositional range of Cs substitution. A monotonic progression in the cubic lattice parameter (a) with changes in the Cs⁺ content confirmed the formation of mixed cation materials. More importantly, time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) revealed the optimized 13 mol% Cs nanoparticle composition exhibits the longest charge carrier lifetime and enhancement in radiative pathways. This sample also showed the highest photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of ∼88% and displays ∼100% improvement in the PLQY of pure MAPbBr₃ and CsPbBr₃. Prototype LEDs fabricated from MA_0.87Cs_0.13PbBr₃ were demonstrated.

Structural and optical properties of MA_xCs_1−xPbBr₃ mixed cation colloidal nanoparticles with 13 mol% Cs composition exhibiting the longest charge carrier lifetime and enhancement in radiative pathways.

Photocross-Linkable Hole Transport Materials for Inkjet-Printed High-Efficient Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes

Efficient approach based on the photochemistry of benzophenone has been developed for the cross-linking of the polymer hole-transporting layer (HTL). The cross-linked poly[(9,9-dioctylfluorenyl-2,7-diyl)-alt-(4,4'-(N-(4-butylphenyl) (TFB) thin films showed high solvent stability, smooth surface morphology, and improved charge-carrier mobility. The solution-processed red, green, and blue (RGB) quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) based on the cross-linked HTLs showed much better performances than the corresponding devices based on the pristine TFB HTLs. The spin-coated red QLEDs based on the cross-linked HTLs showed the maximum current efficiency (CE), the maximum power efficiency (PE), and the peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 32.3 cd A^-1, 42.3 lm W^-1, and 21.4%, respectively. The inkjet-printed red QLEDs with the cross-linked HTLs exhibited the CE, PE, and EQE of 26.5 cd A^-1, 37.8 lm W^-1, and 18.1%, respectively. The high-performance HTLs were obtained by significantly reducing the amount of cross-linking agents.

Dual-color plasmonic random lasers for speckle-free imaging

A dual-color plasmonic random laser under single-excitation is achieved in an ultrathin membrane doped with binary quantum dots and gold nanorods. The gold nanorods tune the luminescence lifetime and emission efficiency of quantum dots. Under single excitation, low-threshold random lasing is observed. Green random lasing at 547 nm is 'turned on' and red random lasing at 630 nm is greatly enhanced by the transversal and longitudinal surface plasmon resonance of the gold nanorods, respectively. Speckle-free color imaging is achieved by using the proposed dual-color random laser source. These properties would facilitate the development of random lasers in fields of illumination and imaging.

CdSe- Reduced graphene oxide nanocomposite toxicity alleviation via V2O5 shell formation over CdSe core: in vivo and in vitro studies

The present article demonstrates the synthesis of the nanocomposite of reduced graphene oxide (rGO) with CdSe and CdSe/V₂O₅ core/shell quantum dots by a two-step facile synthesis approach and subsequently studies their relative biocompatibility in different cells. Various characterization techniques have been applied including transmission electron microscopy (TEM), an x-ray diffractometer (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy to confirm the successful formation of CdSe-rGO and CdSe/V₂O₅-rGO nanocomposites. The average sizes of CdSe and CdSe/V₂O₅ QDs have found to be ∼3 and 5.5 nm, respectively with a good dispersion over the surface of rGO nanosheets. A crystal phase change has occurred during the formation of the V₂O₅ shell over the surface of CdSe QDs and confirmed through XRD. Raman spectroscopy has shown some useful insight of the surface state of CdSe and consequent changes in the surface with V₂O₅ shell growth. Further, MTT and cell growth assays have been performed to analyze their biocompatibility in A549 and Hela cells with various concentrations of as-synthesized materials. Our results demonstrate the toxicity of CdSe-rGO nanocomposite to be substantially reduced by the growth of the V₂O₅ shell. The in vivo studies in Drosophila show a remarkable decrease in the reactive oxygen species (ROS) and apoptosis levels for a CdSe/V₂O₅-rGO composite as compared to a CdSe-rGO nanocomposite, which paves a promising pathway for the CdSe/V₂O₅-rGO nanocomposite to be used as an efficient biocompatible material.

Anti-diabetic and anti-parasitic properties of a family of luminescent zinc coordination compounds based on the 7-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine ligand

We report on the formation of a triazolopyrimidine derivative ligand, 7-amino-5-methyl-1,2,4-triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine (7-amtp), and a new family of coordination compounds based on this ligand and zinc as metal ion, synthesized by conventional routes. These materials possess different mononuclear structures, namely [ZnCl₂(7-amtp)₂] (1), [Zn(7-amtp)₂(H₂O)₄](NO₃)₂·2(7-amtp)·6H₂O (2) and [Zn(7-amtp)₂(H₂O)₄](SO₄)·1.5H₂O (3) derived from the use of different zinc (II) salts, in such a way that the counterions govern the crystallization to a large extent. These compounds present and show variable luminescent properties based on ligand-centred charge transfers which have been deeply studied by Time Dependent Density Functional Theory (TD-DFT) calculations. When these compounds are transferred to solution, preserving complex entities as corroborated by NMR studies, they present interesting anti-diabetic and anti-parasitic capabilities, with a comparatively higher selectivity index than other previously reported triazolopyrimidine-based materials. The results derived from in vivo experiments conducted in mice also confirm their promising activity as anti-diabetic drug being capable of dropping glucose levels after oral administration. Therefore, these new materials may be considered as excellent candidates to be further investigated in the field of luminescent coordination compounds with biomedical applications.

Mobility and transformation of CdSe/ZnS quantum dots in soil: Role of the capping ligands and ageing effect

The increasing application of Quantum Dots (QDs) is cause of concern for the potential negative effects for the ecosystem, especially in soils that may act as a sink. In this study, soil leaching experiments were performed in quartz sand packed columns to investigate the behavior of core-shell CdSe/ZnS QDs coated with either small ligands (TGA-QDs) or more complex polymers (POAMA-QDs). Fluorescence emission was compared to mass spectrometric measurements to assess the nanoparticles (NPs) state in both the leachate (transported species) and porous media (deposited amounts). Although both QDs were strongly retained in the column, large differences were observed depending on their capping ligand stability. Specifically, for TGA-QDs elution was negligible and the retained fraction accumulated in the top-columns. Furthermore, 74% of the NPs were degraded and 38% of the Se was found in the leachate in non-NPs state. Conversely, POAMA-QDs were recovered to a larger extent (78.1%), and displayed a higher transport along the soil profile. Further experiments with altered NPs showed that homo-aggregation of the QDs prior injection determined a reduced mobility but no significant changes in their stability. Eventually, ageing of the NPs in the column (15 days) caused the disruption of up to 92% of the original QDs and the immobilization of NPs and metals. These results indicate that QDs will accumulate in top-soils, where transformations phenomena will determine the overall transport, persistency and degradation of these chemicals. Once accumulated, they may act as a source for potentially toxic Cd and Se metal species displaying enhanced mobility.

Mobility and fate of ligand stabilized semiconductor nanoparticles in landfill leachates

Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are nanocrystals used in diverse optoelectronics. At the end of their useful life they are likely to end up in landfills, where they could be mobilzed by infiltrating rain water. In this work, spectroscopic and light scattering techniques were employed to investigate the environmental fate of QDs exposed to leachates from Austrian landfill sites containing municipal solid and bulky wastes. Brij-58-coated CdSe QDs, a model for surfactant stabilized hydrophobic nanoparticles, primarily sedimented before being degraded on a slower timescale in the course of 6 months. In contrast, N-acetyl-l-cystein-coated CdTe QDs, which represent electrostatically stabilized nanoparticles with a small covalently linked stabilizing molecule, mainly underwent a degradation mechanism that was accelerated by temperature. 71-95 % of this QD type was still dispersed in all leachates after 6 months at low temperature. Leachate temperature and composition, such as the DOC, as well as the used particle coating determined the mechanistic route of clearance of sedimentation versus degradation. Our study shows, that mechanistic investigations are necessary to determine the persistence of nanoparticles depending on their coatings in waste matrices which can be further used to assess hazardous risks of such nanowastes.

Electrospray mechanism for quantum dot thin-film formation using an electrohydrodynamic jet and light-emitting device application

A novel electrohydrodynamic (EHD) electrospray coating mechanism was proposed for the continuous fabrication of large-area quantum dot (QD) thin films for high-performance light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The size of QD droplets was systemically controlled using the stable EHD electrospray mode from a mixed solvent, which is a crucial factor for the formation of large and smooth QD thin films. The minimum amount of material consumption was achieved during the process by applying the unique coating system. A QD-LED device based on electrodeposited QDs showed a maximum luminance of 12,082 cd m^-2, maximum current efficiency of nearly 4.0 cd A^-1, and maximum EQE of 1.86%. This system demonstrates not only high reproducibility but could also pave the way for commercializing high-quality QD-LED devices.

Material and device engineering for high-performance blue quantum dot light-emitting diodes

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have attracted extensive attention due to their excellent optoelectronic properties, such as high quantum efficiency, narrow emission peaks, high color saturation, high stability and solution processability. Compared with the traditional display technology, QD based light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) show broad application prospects in the field of flat-panel displays and solid-state lighting. However, for full-color displays, the efficiency and lifetime of blue QLEDs are inferior to those of their green and red counterparts. Therefore, it is urgent for us to deeply understand the device physics and improve the performance of blue QLEDs through material and device engineering. An in-depth understanding of the optoelectronic properties (such as the structure of electronic states, electron-phonon interactions, Auger processes, etc.) and material engineering (such as size distribution control, composition control, and surface engineering) of blue emission QDs is greatly helpful for their applications in other fields. Herein, we review the key progress in the area of blue QLEDs, including the compositions and nanostructures of blue quantum dots, advances in the device architectures and the improvement of the device lifetime of blue QLEDs. The key factors that influence the blue device performance, including the nanostructure design and surface modification of QDs, interface engineering and architecture design of devices are discussed, aiming to propose possible solutions for these challenges, which will help to promote the commercialization process of QLEDs.

Thermodynamic-driven polychromatic quantum dot patterning for light-emitting diodes beyond eye-limiting resolution

The next-generation wearable near-eye displays inevitably require extremely high pixel density due to significant decrease in the viewing distance. For such denser and smaller pixel arrays, the emissive material must exhibit wider colour gamut so that each of the vast pixels maintains the colour accuracy. Electroluminescent quantum dot light-emitting diodes are promising candidates for such application owing to their highly saturated colour gamuts and other excellent optoelectronic properties. However, previously reported quantum dot patterning technologies have limitations in demonstrating full-colour pixel arrays with sub-micron feature size, high fidelity, and high post-patterning device performance. Here, we show thermodynamic-driven immersion transfer-printing, which enables patterning and printing of quantum dot arrays in omni-resolution scale; quantum dot arrays from single-particle resolution to the entire film can be fabricated on diverse surfaces. Red-green-blue quantum dot arrays with unprecedented resolutions up to 368 pixels per degree is demonstrated.

High-resolution patterning of colloidal quantum dots via non-destructive, light-driven ligand crosslinking

Establishing multi-colour patterning technology for colloidal quantum dots is critical for realising high-resolution displays based on the material. Here, we report a solution-based processing method to form patterns of quantum dots using a light-driven ligand crosslinker, ethane-1,2-diyl bis(4-azido-2,3,5,6-tetrafluorobenzoate). The crosslinker with two azide end groups can interlock the ligands of neighbouring quantum dots upon exposure to UV, yielding chemically robust quantum dot films. Exploiting the light-driven crosslinking process, different colour CdSe-based core-shell quantum dots can be photo-patterned; quantum dot patterns of red, green and blue primary colours with a sub-pixel size of 4 μm × 16 μm, corresponding to a resolution of >1400 pixels per inch, are demonstrated. The process is non-destructive, such that photoluminescence and electroluminescence characteristics of quantum dot films are preserved after crosslinking. We demonstrate that red crosslinked quantum dot light-emitting diodes exhibiting an external quantum efficiency as high as 14.6% can be obtained.