High-Performance Visible to Mid-Infrared Photodetectors Based on HgTe Colloidal Quantum Dots under Room Temperature

HgTe colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are one of few materials that can realize near-to-midwave infrared photodetection. And the quality of HgTe CQD directly affects the performance of photodetection. In this work, we optimize the method of synthesizing HgTe CQDs to reduce the defect concentration, therefore improving the photoelectric properties. The photodetector based on HeTe CQD can respond to the light from the visible to mid-infrared band. Notably, a photoresponse to 4000 nm light at room temperature is realized. The responsivity and detectivity are 90.6 mA W-1 and 6.9 × 107 Jones under 1550 nm light illumination, which are better than these of most reported HgTe CQD photodetectors. The response speed reaches a magnitude of microseconds with a rising time of τr = 1.9 μs and a falling time of τf = 1.5 μs at 10 kHz under 1550 nm light illumination.

Ultrafast Cascade Charge Transfer in Multibandgap Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids Enables Threshold Reduction for Optical Gain and Stimulated Emission

Achieving low-threshold infrared stimulated emission in solution-processed quantum dots is critical to enable real-life applications including photonic integrated circuits (PICs), LIDAR application, and optical telecommunication. However, realization of low threshold infrared gain is fundamentally challenging due to high degeneracy of the first emissive state (e.g., 8-fold) and fast Auger recombination. In this Letter, we demonstrate ultra-low-threshold infrared stimulated emission with an onset of 110 μJ cm-2 employing cascade charge transfer (CT) in Pb-chalcogenide colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solids. In doing so, we investigate this idea in two different architectures including a mixture of multiband gap CQDs and a layer-by-layer (LBL) configuration. Using transient absorption spectroscopy, we show ultrafast cascade CT from large band gap PbS CQD to small band gap PbS/PbSSe core/shell CQDs in LBL (∼2 ps) and mixture (∼9 ps) configurations. These results indicate the feasibility of using cascade CT as an efficient method to reduce the optical gain threshold in CQD solid films.

Optical engineering of PbS colloidal quantum dot solar cells via Fabry-Perot resonance and distributed Bragg reflectors

A tradeoff between light absorption and charge transport is a well-known issue in PbS colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells because the carrier diffusion length in PbS CQD films is comparable to the thickness of CQD film. We reduce the tradeoff between light absorption and charge transport by combining a Fabry-Perot (FP) resonator and a distributed Bragg reflector (DBR). A FP resonance is formed between the DBR and a dielectric-metal-dielectric film as a top transparent electrode. A SiO₂-TiO₂ multilayer is used to form a DBR. The FP resonance enhances light absorption near the resonant wavelength of the DBR without changing the CQD film thickness. The light absorption near the FP resonance wavelength is further boosted by coupling the FP resonance with the high reflectivity of the Ag-coated DBR. When the FP resonance and DBR are combined, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of PbS CQD solar cells increases by 54%. Moreover, the DBR assisted FP resonance enables a very thin PbS layer to absorb near infrared light four times more. The overall PCE of the thin PbS CQD solar cell increases by 24% without sacrificing the average visible transmittance (AVT). Our results show how to overcome the inherence problem of the CQD and develop a semi-transparent solar cell where the wavelength-selective absorption and the transparency for visible light are important.

Exciton Dephasing by Phonon-Induced Scattering between Bright Exciton States in InP/ZnSe Colloidal Quantum Dots

Decoherence or dephasing of the exciton is a central characteristic of a quantum dot (QD) that determines the minimum width of the exciton emission line and the purity of indistinguishable photon emission during exciton recombination. Here, we analyze exciton dephasing in colloidal InP/ZnSe QDs using transient four-wave mixing spectroscopy. We obtain a dephasing time of 23 ps at a temperature of 5 K, which agrees with the smallest line width of 50 μeV we measure for the exciton emission of single InP/ZnSe QDs at 5 K. By determining the dephasing time as a function of temperature, we find that exciton decoherence can be described as a phonon-induced, thermally activated process. The deduced activation energy of 0.32 meV corresponds to the small splitting within the nearly isotropic bright exciton triplet of InP/ZnSe QDs, suggesting that the dephasing is dominated by phonon-induced scattering within the bright exciton triplet.

Room Temperature Bias-Selectable, Dual-Band Infrared Detectors Based on Lead Sulfide Colloidal Quantum Dots and Black Phosphorus

A single photodetector capable of switching its peak spectral photoresponse between two wavelength bands is highly useful, particularly for the infrared (IR) bands in applications such as remote sensing, object identification, and chemical sensing. Technologies exist for achieving dual-band IR detection with bulk III-V and II-VI materials, but the high cost and complexity as well as the necessity for active cooling associated with some of these technologies preclude their widespread adoption. In this study, we leverage the advantages of low-dimensional materials to demonstrate a bias-selectable dual-band IR detector that operates at room temperature by using lead sulfide colloidal quantum dots and black phosphorus nanosheets. By switching between zero and forward bias, these detectors switch peak photosensitive ranges between the mid- and short-wave IR bands with room temperature detectivities of 5 × 10⁹ and 1.6 × 10¹¹ cm Hz^1/2 W^-1, respectively. To the best of our knowledge, these are the highest reported room temperature values for low-dimensional material dual-band IR detectors to date. Unlike conventional bias-selectable detectors, which utilize a set of back-to-back photodiodes, we demonstrate that under zero/forward bias conditions the device's operation mode instead changes between a photodiode and a phototransistor, allowing additional functionalities that the conventional structure cannot provide.

Large-area flexible colloidal-quantum-dot infrared photodiodes for photoplethysmogram signal measurements

Epitaxially grown photodiodes are the foundation of infrared photodetection technology; however, their rigid structure and limited area scaling limit their use in advanced applications. Colloidal-quantum-dot (CQD) infrared photodiodes have increased active areas through solution processing, and are thus potential candidates for large-area flexible photodetection, but these large-area photodiodes have disadvantages such as large dark current density, poor homogeneity, and poor stability. Therefore, this study established a fabrication strategy for large-area flexible CQD photodiodes that involves introducing polyimide to CQD ink to improve CQD passivation, monodisperse ink persistence, and film morphology. The resulting CQD photodiodes exhibited reduced dark current density and improved homogeneity and work stability. Furthermore, the as-prepared photodiodes exhibited a detectivity (D*) of greater than 10¹³ Jones, which was higher than other reported CQD photodetectors. The CQD photodiodes developed in this study can be used for wearable photoplethysmogram (PPG) signal measurement under ambient light at reduced cost and power consumption..

Significant Lifetime Enhancement in QLEDs by Reducing Interfacial Charge Accumulation via Fluorine Incorporation in the ZnO Electron Transport Layer

ZnO nanoparticles are widely used for the electron transport layers (ETLs) of quantum dots light emitting devices (QLEDs). In this work we show that incorporating fluorine (F) into the ZnO ETL results in significant enhancement in device electroluminescence stability, leading to LT50 at 100 cd m^-2 of 2,370,000 h in red QLED, 47X longer than the control devices. X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy, time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy, photoluminescence and electrical measurements show that the F passivates oxygen vacancies and reduces electron traps in ZnO. Transient photoluminescence versus bias measurements and capacitance-voltage-luminance measurements reveal that the CF₄ plasma-treated ETLs lead to increased electron concentration in the QD and the QD/hole transport layer interface, subsequently decreasing hole accumulation, and hence the higher stability. The findings provide new insights into the critical roles that optimizing charge distribution across the layers play in influencing stability and present a novel and simple approach for extending QLED lifetimes.

All-solid-state SARS-CoV-2 protein biosensor employing colloidal quantum dots-modified electrode

Rapid and reliable detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antibody can provide immunological evidence in addition to nucleic acid test for the early diagnosis and on-site screening of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). All-solid-state biosensor capable of rapid, quantitative SARS-CoV-2 antibody testing is still lacking. Herein, we propose an electronic labelling strategy of protein molecules and demonstrate SARS-CoV-2 protein biosensor employing colloidal quantum dots (CQDs)-modified electrode. The feature current peak corresponding to the specific binding reaction of SARS-CoV-2 antigen and antibody proteins was observed for the first time. The unique charging and discharging effect depending on the alternating voltage applied was ascribed to the quantum confinement, Coulomb blockade and quantum tunneling effects of quantum dots. CQDs-modified electrode could recognize the specific binding reaction between antigen and antibody and then transduce it into significant electrical current. In the case of serum specimens from COVID-19 patient samples, the all-solid-state protein biosensor provides quantitative analysis of SARS-CoV-2 antibody with correlation coefficient of 93.8% compared to enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) results. It discriminates patient and normal samples with accuracy of about 90%. The results could be read within 1 min by handheld testing system prototype. The sensitive and specific protein biosensor combines the advantages of rapidity, accuracy, and convenience, facilitating the implement of low-cost, high-throughput immunological diagnostic technique for clinical lab, point-of-care testing (POCT) as well as home-use test.

Optical-Gain-based Sensing Using Inorganic-Ligand-Passivated Colloidal Quantum Dots

Thanks to their extremely large surface-to-volume ratio, colloidal quantum dots are potential high-performance sensing materials. However, previous sensing works using their spontaneous emission suffer from low sensitivities. The absence of an amplification process and the presence of the steric hindrance of long-chain organic ligands are two possible causations. Herein we propose that these two issues can be circumvented by using the amplified spontaneous emission of colloidal quantum dots capped by short-chain inorganic ligands. To exemplify this concept, we performed humidity sensing and observed a ∼31 times enhancement in sensitivity. Meanwhile, we found that the amplified spontaneous emission threshold power was reduced by 34% in a high humidity environment. On the basis of our transient absorption measurements, we attribute these observations to the mitigation of ultrafast subpicosecond trapping processes, which are enabled by the absorption of water molecules.

Measuring the Hydrodynamic Radius of Colloidal Quantum Dots by Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy

Colloidal quantum dots (QDs), due to their versatile optoelectronic properties, have been used in life science applications, especially in fluorescence-based techniques, for over two decades. A great variety of QD syntheses and conjugations are available, and tailoring these for the desired application requires a refined structural characterization. Life science applications rely on the interaction of QDs with biostructures; hence, the knowledge of the QD actual size (i.e., its hydrodynamic radius in the medium the experiment is being carried) and the size of their conjugates is paramount. Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) is an optical technique that uses fluorophore light emission to measure its hydrodynamic radius, instead of relying on particle light scattering or crystalline structure, making it ideal for studying bioconjugated QDs in suspension. From the fluorescence intensity autocorrelation, FCS measures the diffusion coefficient of systems in a diluted sample and, by obtaining the diffusion coefficient, it is possible to calculate its hydrodynamic radius. In this chapter we describe the main aspects of the FCS technique and how to use it to calculate the hydrodynamic radius of QDs.

Integration of Colloidal PbS/CdS Quantum Dots with Plasmonic Antennas and Superconducting Detectors on a Silicon Nitride Photonic Platform

Single-photon sources and detectors are indispensable building blocks for integrated quantum photonics, a research field that is seeing ever increasing interest for numerous applications. In this work, we implemented essential components for a quantum key distribution transceiver on a single photonic chip. Plasmonic antennas on top of silicon nitride waveguides provide Purcell enhancement with a concurrent increase of the count rate, speeding up the microsecond radiative lifetime of IR-emitting colloidal PbS/CdS quantum dots (QDs). The use of low-fluorescence silicon nitride, with a waveguide loss smaller than 1 dB/cm, made it possible to implement high extinction ratio optical filters and low insertion loss spectrometers. Waveguide-coupled superconducting nanowire single-photon detectors allow for low time-jitter single-photon detection. To showcase the performance of the components, we demonstrate on-chip lifetime spectroscopy of PbS/CdS QDs. The method developed in this paper is predicted to scale down to single QDs, and newly developed emitters can be readily integrated on the chip-based platform.

Probing reversible photoluminescence alteration in CH3NH3PbBr3 colloidal quantum dots for luminescence-based gas sensing application

Methylammonium lead bromide (CH₃NH₃PbBr₃) colloidal quantum dots (QDs) exhibit strong green photoluminescence (PL) with high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) making it valuable for various optoelectronic applications. Under the influence of polar gaseous molecules, hybrid halide perovskites show changes in its structural and electrical properties. We, for the first time, have investigated the influence of NH₃ gas molecules on the optical properties of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ colloidal QDs. The investigations carried out under a controlled environment reveal that even the presence of 37 ppm of ammonia (NH₃) gas molecules causes a significant reduction in the PL intensity of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ colloidal QDs. The reduction rate of PL intensity can be tuned with the concentration of NH₃ gas molecules. We propose that the decrease in PL intensity is because of the formation of a non-luminescent NH₄PbBr₃ phase under the presence of NH₃ gas molecules. Further, the non-luminescent NH₄PbBr₃ retransformed into luminescent CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ on the introduction of methylamine (CH₃NH₂) gas molecules. This reversible alternation in PL properties enables us to demonstrate its application for (NH₃) gas sensing. The advantage of using CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ colloidal QDs for luminescence-based sensing is that its green emission is visible with the naked eye even under daylight, which is easy to detect.

Spectroscopic Evidence for the Contribution of Holes to the Bleach of Cd-Chalcogenide Quantum Dots

In transient absorption (TA) measurements on Cd-chalcogenide quantum dots (QDs), the presence of a band-edge (BE) bleach signal is commonly attributed entirely to conduction-band electrons in the 1S(e) state, neglecting contributions from BE holes. While this has been the accepted view for more than 20 years, and has often been used to distinguish electron and hole kinetics, the reason for the absence of a hole contribution to the BE-bleach has remained unclear. Here, we show with three independent experiments that holes do in fact have a significant impact on the BE-bleach of well-passivated Cd-chalcogenide QD samples. Transient absorption experiments on high photoluminescence quantum yield CdSe/CdS/ZnS core-shell-shell QDs clearly show an increase of the band-edge bleach as holes cool down to the band edge. The relative contribution of electron-to-hole bleach is 2:1, as predicted by theory. The same measurements on core-only CdSe QDs with a lower quantum yield do not show a contribution of holes to the band-edge bleach. We assign the lack of hole bleach to the presence of ultrafast hole trapping in samples with insufficient passivation of the QD surface. In addition, we show measurements of optical gain in core-shell-shell QD solutions, providing clear evidence of a significant hole contribution to the BE transient absorption signal. Finally, we present spectroelectrochemical measurements on CdTe QDs films, showing the presence of a BE-bleach for both electron and hole injections. The presence of a contribution of holes to the bleach in passivated Cd-chalcogenides QDs bears important implications for quantitative studies on optical gain as well as for TA determinations of carrier dynamics.

Colloidal quantum dots for thermal infrared sensing and imaging

Colloidal quantum dots provide a powerful materials platform to engineer optoelectronics devices, opening up new opportunities in the thermal infrared spectral regions where no other solution-processed material options exist. This mini-review collates recent research reports that push the technological envelope of colloidal quantum dot-based photodetectors toward mid- and long-wavelength infrared. We survey the synthesis and characterization of various thermal infrared colloidal quantum dots reported to date, discuss the basic theory of device operation, review the fabrication and measurement of photodetectors, and conclude with the future prospect of this emerging technology.

Efficient Emission Enhancement of Single CdSe/CdS/PMMA Quantum Dots through Controlled Near-Field Coupling to Plasmonic Bullseye Resonators

A strong increase of spontaneous radiative emission from colloidally synthesized CdSe/CdS/PMMA hybrid particles is achieved when manipulated into plasmonic bullseye resonators with the tip of an atomic force microscope (AFM). This type of antenna provides a broadband resonance, which may be precisely matched to the exciton ground state energy in the inorganic cores. Statistically analyzing the spectral photoluminescence (PL) of a large number of individual coupled and uncoupled CdSe/CdS/PMMA quantum dots, we find an order of magnitude of intensity enhancement due to the Purcell effect. Time-resolved PL shows a commensurate increase of the spontaneous emission rate with radiative lifetimes below 230 ps for the bright exciton transition. The combination of AFM and PL imaging allows for sub-200 nm localization of the particle position inside the plasmonic antenna. This capability unveils a different coupling behavior of dark excitonic states: even stronger PL enhancement occurs at positions with maximum spatial gradient of the nearfield, effectively adding a dipolar component to original quadrupole transitions. The broadband maximization of light-matter interaction provided by our nanoengineered compound systems enables an attractive class of future experiments in ultrafast quantum optics.

Acid-Assisted Ligand Exchange Enhances Coupling in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solids

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are promising solution-processed infrared-absorbing materials for optoelectronics. In these applications, it is crucial to replace the electrically insulating ligands used in synthesis to form strongly coupled quantum dot solids. Recently, solution-phase ligand-exchange strategies have been reported that minimize the density of defects and the polydispersity of CQDs; however, we find herein that the new ligands exhibit insufficient chemical reactivity to remove original oleic acid ligands completely. This leads to low CQD packing and correspondingly low electronic performance. Here we report an acid-assisted solution-phase ligand-exchange strategy that, by enabling efficient removal of the original ligands, enables the synthesis of densified CQD arrays. Our use of hydroiodic acid simultaneously facilitates high CQD packing via proton donation and CQD passivation through iodine. We demonstrate highly packed CQD films with a 2.5 times increased carrier mobility compared with prior exchanges. The resulting devices achieve the highest infrared photon-to-electron conversion efficiencies (>50%) reported in the spectral range of 0.8 to 1.1 eV.

Cd-free Cu-doped ZnInS/ZnS Core/Shell Nanocrystals: Controlled Synthesis And Photophysical Properties

Here, we report efficient composition-tunable Cu-doped ZnInS/ZnS (core and core/shell) colloidal nanocrystals (CNCs) synthesized by using a colloidal non-injection method. The initial precursors for the synthesis were used in oleate form rather than in powder form, resulting in a nearly defect-free photoluminescence (PL) emission. The change in Zn/In ratio tunes the percentage incorporation of Cu in CNCs. These highly monodisperse Cu-doped ZnInS CNCs having variable Zn/In ratios possess peak emission wavelength tunable from 550 to 650 nm in the visible spectrum. The quantum yield (QY) of these synthesized Cd-free CNCs increases from 6.0 to 65.0% after coating with a ZnS shell. The CNCs possessing emission from a mixed contribution of deep trap and dopant states to only dominant dopant-related Stokes-shifted emission are realized by a careful control of stoichiometric ratio of different reactant precursors during synthesis. The origin of this shift in emission was understood by using steady state and time-resolved fluorescence (TRF) spectroscopy studies. As a proof-of-concept demonstration, these blue excitable Cu-doped ZnInS/ZnS CNCs have been integrated with commercial blue LEDs to generate white-light emission (WLE). The suitable combination of these highly efficient doped CNCs results led to a Commission Internationale de l'Enclairage (CIE) color coordinates of (0.33, 0.31) at a color coordinate temperature (CCT) of 3694 K, with a luminous efficacy of optical radiation (LER) of 170 lm/Wopt and a color rendering index (CRI) of 88.

Deciphering Charging Status, Absolute Quantum Efficiency, and Absorption Cross Section of Multicarrier States in Single Colloidal Quantum Dots

Upon photo- or electrical-excitation, colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are often found in multicarrier states due to multiphoton absorption, photocharging, or imbalanced carrier injection of the QDs. While many of these multicarrier states are observed in single-dot spectroscopy, their properties are not well studied due to random charging/discharging, emission intensity intermittency, and uncontrolled surface defects of single QDs. Here we report in situ deciphering of the charging status, precisely assessing the absorption cross section, and determining the absolute emission quantum yield of monoexciton and biexciton states for neutral, positively charged, and negatively charged single core/shell CdSe/CdS QDs. We uncover very different photon statistics of the three charge states in single QDs and unambiguously identify their charge signs together with the information on their photoluminescence decay dynamics. We then show their distinct photoluminescence saturation behaviors and evaluate the absolute values of absorption cross sections and quantum efficiencies of monoexcitons and biexcitons. We demonstrate that the addition of an extra hole or electron in a QD not only changes its emission properties but also varies its absorption cross section.

Nearly Blinking-Free, High-Purity Single-Photon Emission by Colloidal InP/ZnSe Quantum Dots

Colloidal core/shell InP/ZnSe quantum dots (QDs), recently produced using an improved synthesis method, have a great potential in life-science applications as well as in integrated quantum photonics and quantum information processing as single-photon emitters. Single-particle spectroscopy of 10 nm QDs with 3.2 nm cores reveals strong photon antibunching attributed to fast (70 ps) Auger recombination of multiple excitons. The QDs exhibit very good photostability under strong optical excitation. We demonstrate that the antibunching is preserved when the QDs are excited above the saturation intensity of the fundamental-exciton transition. This result paves the way toward their usage as high-purity on-demand single-photon emitters at room temperature. Unconventionally, despite the strong Auger blockade mechanism, InP/ZnSe QDs also display very little luminescence intermittency ("blinking"), with a simple on/off blinking pattern. The analysis of single-particle luminescence statistics places these InP/ZnSe QDs in the class of nearly blinking-free QDs, with emission stability comparable to state-of-the-art thick-shell and alloyed-interface CdSe/CdS, but with improved single-photon purity.

Nanoimprint-Transfer-Patterned Solids Enhance Light Absorption in Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Colloidal quantum dot (CQD) materials are of interest in thin-film solar cells due to their size-tunable bandgap and low-cost solution-processing. However, CQD solar cells suffer from inefficient charge extraction over the film thicknesses required for complete absorption of solar light. Here we show a new strategy to enhance light absorption in CQD solar cells by nanostructuring the CQD film itself at the back interface. We use two-dimensional finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) simulations to study quantitatively the light absorption enhancement in nanostructured back interfaces in CQD solar cells. We implement this experimentally by demonstrating a nanoimprint-transfer-patterning (NTP) process for the fabrication of nanostructured CQD solids with highly ordered patterns. We show that this approach enables a boost in the power conversion efficiency in CQD solar cells primarily due to an increase in short-circuit current density as a result of enhanced absorption through light-trapping.

Quantum-Confined and Enhanced Optical Absorption of Colloidal PbS Quantum Dots at Wavelengths with Expected Bulk Behavior

Nowadays it is well-accepted to attribute bulk-like optical absorption properties to colloidal PbS quantum dots (QDs) at wavelengths above 400 nm. This assumption permits to describe PbS QD light absorption by using bulk optical constants and to determine QD concentration in colloidal solutions from simple spectrophotometric measurements. Here we demonstrate that PbS QDs experience the quantum confinement regime across the entire near UV-vis-NIR spectral range, therefore also between 350 and 400 nm already proposed to be sufficiently far above the band gap to suppress quantum confinement. This effect is particularly relevant for small PbS QDs (with diameter of ≤4 nm) leading to absorption coefficients that largely differ from bulk values (up to ∼40% less). As a result of the broadband quantum confinement and of the high surface-to-volume ratio peculiar of nanocrystals, suitable surface chemical modification of PbS QDs is exploited to achieve a marked, size-dependent enhancement of the absorption coefficients compared to bulk values (up to ∼250%). We provide empirical relations to determine the absorption coefficients at 400 nm of as-synthesized and ligand-exchanged PbS QDs, accounting for the broadband quantum confinement and suggesting a heuristic approach to qualitatively predict the ligand effects on the optical absorption properties of PbS QDs. Our findings go beyond formalisms derived from Maxwell Garnett effective medium theory to describe QD optical properties and permit to spectrophotometrically calculate the concentration of PbS QD solutions avoiding underestimation due to deviations from the bulk. In perspective, we envisage the use of extended π-conjugated ligands bearing electronically active substituents to enhance light-harvesting in QD solids and suggest the inadequacy of the representation of ligands at the QD surface as mere electric dipoles.

Colloidal quantum dot based solar cells: from materials to devices

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) have attracted attention as a next-generation of photovoltaics (PVs) capable of a tunable band gap and low-cost solution process. Understanding and controlling the surface of CQDs lead to the significant development in the performance of CQD PVs. Here we review recent progress in the realization of low-cost, efficient lead chalcogenide CQD PVs based on the surface investigation of CQDs. We focus on improving the electrical properties and air stability of the CQD achieved by material approaches and growing the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of the CQD PV obtained by structural approaches. Finally, we summarize the manners to improve the PCE of CQD PVs through optical design. The various issues mentioned in this review may provide insight into the commercialization of CQD PVs in the near future.

Alternative Patterning Process for Realization of Large-Area, Full-Color, Active Quantum Dot Display

Although various colloidal quantum dot (QD) coating and patterning techniques have been developed to meet the demands in optoelectronic applications over the past years, each of the previously demonstrated methods has one or more limitations and trade-offs in forming multicolor, high-resolution, or large-area patterns of QDs. In this study, we present an alternative QD patterning technique using conventional photolithography combined with charge-assisted layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly to solve the trade-offs of the traditional patterning processes. From our demonstrations, we show repeatable QD patterning process that allows multicolor QD patterns in both large-area and microscale. Also, we show that the QD patterns are robust against additional photolithography processes and that the thickness of the QD patterns can be controlled at each position. To validate that this process can be applied to actual device applications as an active material, we have fabricated inverted, differently colored, active QD light-emitting device (QD-LED) on a pixelated substrate, which achieved maximum electroluminescence intensity of 23 770 cd/m², and discussed the results. From our findings, we believe that our process provides a solution to achieving both high-resolution and large-scale QD pattern applicable to not only display, but also to practical photonic device research and development.

High quantum yield ZnO quantum dots synthesizing via an ultrasonication microreactor method

Green emission ZnO quantum dots were synthesized by an ultrasonic microreactor. Ultrasonic radiation brought bubbles through ultrasonic cavitation. These bubbles built microreactor inside the microreactor. The photoluminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots synthesized with different flow rate, ultrasonic power and temperature were discussed. Flow rate, ultrasonic power and temperature would influence the type and quantity of defects in ZnO quantum dots. The sizes of ZnO quantum dots would be controlled by those conditions as well. Flow rate affected the reaction time. With the increasing of flow rate, the sizes of ZnO quantum dots decreased and the quantum yields first increased then decreased. Ultrasonic power changed the ultrasonic cavitation intensity, which affected the reaction energy and the separation of the solution. With the increasing of ultrasonic power, sizes of ZnO quantum dots first decreased then increased, while the quantum yields kept increasing. The effect of ultrasonic temperature on the photoluminescence properties of ZnO quantum dots was influenced by the flow rate. Different flow rate related to opposite changing trend. Moreover, the quantum yields of ZnO QDs synthesized by ultrasonic microreactor could reach 64.7%, which is higher than those synthesized only under ultrasonic radiation or only by microreactor.

Surface Sensing of Quantum Dots by Electron Spins

The nanoscale design of quantum dots (QDs) requires advanced analytical techniques. However, those that are commonly used do not have sufficient sensitivity or spatial resolution. Here, we use magnetic resonance techniques combined with paramagnetic Mn impurities in PbS QDs for sensitive probing of the QD surface and environment. In particular, we reveal inequivalent proton spin relaxations of the capping ligands and solvent molecules, strengths and anisotropies of the Mn nuclear spin interactions, and Mn nuclei distances with ∼1 Å sensitivity. These findings demonstrate the potential of magnetically doped QDs as sensitive magnetic nanoprobes and the use of electron spins for surface sensing.

PbS Nanocrystal Emission Is Governed by Multiple Emissive States

Lead chalcogenide colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) are promising materials for solution processable optoelectronics. However, there is little agreement on the identity and character of PbS NC emission for different degrees of quantum confinement-a critical parameter for realizing applications for these nanocrystals. In this work, we combine ensemble and single NC spectroscopies to interrogate preparations of lead sulfide NCs. We use solution photon correlation Fourier spectroscopy (S-PCFS) to measure the average single NC linewidth of near-infrared-emitting PbS quantum dots and find it to be dominated by homogeneous broadening. We further characterize PbS NCs using temperature-dependent linear and time-resolved emission spectroscopy which demonstrate that a kinetically accessed defect state dominates room temperature emission of highly confined emitting NCs. These experiments, taken together, demonstrate that the linewidth and Stokes shift of PbS NCs are the result of emission from two states: a thermally accessed defect-with an energetically pinned charge carrier-and an inhomogeneously broadened band-edge state.

Fast synthesize ZnO quantum dots via ultrasonic method

Green emission ZnO quantum dots were synthesized by an ultrasonic sol-gel method. The ZnO quantum dots were synthesized in various ultrasonic temperature and time. Photoluminescence properties of these ZnO quantum dots were measured. Time-resolved photoluminescence decay spectra were also taken to discover the change of defects amount during the reaction. Both ultrasonic temperature and time could affect the type and amount of defects in ZnO quantum dots. Total defects of ZnO quantum dots decreased with the increasing of ultrasonic temperature and time. The dangling bonds defects disappeared faster than the optical defects. Types of optical defects first changed from oxygen interstitial defects to oxygen vacancy and zinc interstitial defects. Then transformed back to oxygen interstitial defects again. The sizes of ZnO quantum dots would be controlled by both ultrasonic temperature and time as well. That is, with the increasing of ultrasonic temperature and time, the sizes of ZnO quantum dots first decreased then increased. Moreover, concentrated raw materials solution brought larger sizes and more optical defects of ZnO quantum dots.

Nanoscale and Single-Dot Patterning of Colloidal Quantum Dots

Using an optimized lift-off process we develop a technique for both nanoscale and single-dot patterning of colloidal quantum dot films, demonstrating feature sizes down to ~30 nm for uniform films and a yield of 40% for single-dot positioning, which is in good agreement with a newly developed theoretical model. While first of all presenting a unique tool for studying physics of single quantum dots, the process also provides a pathway toward practical quantum dot-based optoelectronic devices.

Colloidal Quantum Dot Photovoltaics Enhanced by Perovskite Shelling

Solution-processed quantum dots are a promising material for large-scale, low-cost solar cell applications. New device architectures and improved passivation have been instrumental in increasing the performance of quantum dot photovoltaic devices. Here we report photovoltaic devices based on inks of quantum dot on which we grow thin perovskite shells in solid-state films. Passivation using the perovskite was achieved using a facile solution ligand exchange followed by postannealing. The resulting hybrid nanostructure created a more intrinsic CQD film, which, when incorporated into a photovoltaic device with graded bandstructure, achieved a record solar cell performance for single-step-deposited CQD films, exhibiting an AM1.5 solar power conversion efficiency of 8.95%.

High-efficiency, low turn-on voltage blue-violet quantum-dot-based light-emitting diodes

We report high-efficiency blue-violet quantum-dot-based light-emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) by using high quantum yield ZnCdS/ZnS graded core-shell QDs with proper surface ligands. Replacing the oleic acid ligands on the as-synthesized QDs with shorter 1-octanethiol ligands is found to cause a 2-fold increase in the electron mobility within the QD film. Such a ligand exchange also results in an even greater increase in hole injection into the QD layer, thus improving the overall charge balance in the LEDs and yielding a 70% increase in quantum efficiency. Using 1-octanethiol capped QDs, we have obtained a maximum luminance (L) of 7600 cd/m(2) and a maximum external quantum efficiency (ηEQE) of (10.3 ± 0.9)% (with the highest at 12.2%) for QD-LEDs devices with an electroluminescence peak at 443 nm. Similar quantum efficiencies are also obtained for other blue/violet QD-LEDs with peak emission at 455 and 433 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of blue QD-LEDs with ηEQE > 10%. Combined with the low turn-on voltage of ∼2.6 V, these blue-violet ZnCdS/ZnS QD-LEDs show great promise for use in next-generation full-color displays.

Colloidal quantum dot solar cells exploiting hierarchical structuring

Extremely thin-absorber solar cells offer low materials utilization and simplified manufacture but require improved means to enhance photon absorption in the active layer. Here, we report enhanced-absorption colloidal quantum dot (CQD) solar cells that feature transfer-stamped solution-processed pyramid-shaped electrodes employed in a hierarchically structured device. The pyramids increase, by up to a factor of 2, the external quantum efficiency of the device at absorption-limited wavelengths near the absorber band edge. We show that absorption enhancement can be optimized with increased pyramid angle with an appreciable net improvement in power conversion efficiency, that is, with the gain in current associated with improved absorption and extraction overcoming the smaller fractional decrease in open-circuit voltage associated with increased junction area. We show that the hierarchical combination of micron-scale structured electrodes with nanoscale films provides for an optimized enhancement at absorption-limited wavelengths. We fabricate 54.7° pyramid-patterned electrodes, conformally apply the quantum dot films, and report pyramid CQD solar cells that exhibit a 24% improvement in overall short-circuit current density with champion devices providing a power conversion efficiency of 9.2%.

Photoluminescence response of colloidal quantum dots on VO2 film across metal to insulator transition

We have proposed a method to probe metal to insulator transition in VO2 measuring photoluminescence response of colloidal quantum dots deposited on the VO2 film. In addition to linear luminescence intensity decrease with temperature that is well known for quantum dots, temperature ranges with enhanced photoluminescence changes have been found during phase transition in the oxide. Corresponding temperature derived from luminescence dependence on temperature closely correlates with that from resistance measurement during heating. The supporting reflectance data point out that photoluminescence response mimics a reflectance change in VO2 across metal to insulator transition. Time-resolved photoluminescence study did not reveal any significant change of luminescence lifetime of deposited quantum dots under metal to insulator transition. It is a strong argument in favor of the proposed explanation based on the reflectance data.

PACS

71.30. + h; 73.21.La; 78.47.jd.

Charge transport-induced recoil and dissociation in double quantum dots

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are free-standing nanostructures with chemically tunable electronic properties. This combination of properties offers intriguing new possibilities for nanoelectromechanical devices that were not explored yet. In this work, we consider a new scanning tunneling microscopy setup for measuring ligand-mediated effective interdot forces and for inducing motion of individual CQDs within an array. Theoretical analysis of a double quantum dot structure within this setup reveals for the first time voltage-induced interdot recoil and dissociation with pronounced changes in the current. Considering realistic microscopic parameters, our approach enables correlating the onset of mechanical motion under bias voltage with the effective ligand-mediated binding forces.