Ligand-Induced Cation-π Interactions Enable High-Efficiency, Bright, and Spectrally Stable Rec. 2020 Pure-Red Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Achieving high-performance perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) with pure-red electroluminescence for practical applications remains a critical challenge because of the problematic luminescence property and spectral instability of existing emitters. Herein, high-efficiency Rec. 2020 pure-red PeLEDs, simultaneously exhibiting exceptional brightness and spectral stability, based on CsPb(Br/I)3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) capping with aromatic amino acid ligands featuring cation-π interactions, are reported. It is proven that strong cation-π interactions between the PbI6 -octahedra of perovskite units and the electron-rich indole ring of tryptophan (TRP) molecules not only chemically polish the imperfect surface sites, but also markedly increase the binding affinity of the ligand molecules, leading to high photoluminescence quantum yields and greatly enhanced spectral stability of the CsPb(Br/I)3 NCs. Moreover, the incorporation of small-size aromatic TRP ligands ensures superior charge-transport properties of the assembled emissive layers. The resultant devices emitting at around 635 nm demonstrate a champion external quantum efficiency of 22.8%, a max luminance of 12 910 cd m-2 , and outstanding spectral stability, representing one of the best-performing Rec. 2020 pure-red PeLEDs achieved so far.

Elucidating the Role of Capping Agents in Facet-Dependent Adsorption Performance of Hematite Nanostructures

Organic capping agents are a ubiquitous and crucial part of preparing reproducible and homogeneous batches of nanomaterials, particularly nanocrystals with well-defined facets. Despite studies reporting surface ligands (e.g., capping agents) having a non-negligible role in catalytic behavior, their impact is less understood in contaminant adsorption, an important consideration given their potential to obfuscate facet-dependent trends in performance. To ascribe observed behaviors to the facet or the ligand, this report evaluates the impact of poly(N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP), a commonly utilized capping agent, on the adsorption performance of nanohematite particles of varying prevailing facet in the removal of selenite (Se(IV)) as a model system. The PVP capping agent reduces the available surface area for contaminant binding, thus resulting in a reduction in overall Se(IV) adsorbed. However, accounting for the effects of surface area, {012}-faceted nanohematite demonstrates a significantly higher sorption capacity for Se(IV) compared with that of {001}-faceted nanohematite. Notably, chemical treatment is minimally effective in removing strongly bound PVP, indicating that complete removal of surface ligands remains challenging.

Nanoimaging of Facet-Dependent Adsorption, Diffusion, and Reactivity of Surface Ligands on Au Nanocrystals

Analysis of the influence of dissimilar facets on the adsorption, stability, mobility, and reactivity of surface ligands is essential for designing ligand-coated nanocrystals with optimal functionality. Herein, para-nitrothiophenol and nitronaphthalene were chemisorbed and physisorbed, respectively, on Au nanocrystals, and the influence of different facets within a single Au nanocrystal on ligands properties were identified by IR nanospectroscopy measurements. Preferred adsorption was probed on (001) facets for both ligands, with a lower density on (111) facets. Exposure to reducing conditions led to nitro reduction and diffusion of both ligands toward the top (111) facet. Nitrothiophenol was characterized with a diffusivity higher than that of nitronaphthalene. Moreover, the strong thiol-Au interaction led to the diffusion of Au atoms and the formation of thiol-coated Au nanoparticles on the silicon surface. It is identified that the adsorption and reactivity of surface ligands were mainly influenced by the atomic properties of each facet, while diffusion was controlled by ligand-metal interactions.

Effect of Acidic Strength of Surface Ligands on the Carrier Relaxation Dynamics of Hybrid Perovskite Nanocrystals

Perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) are known for their use in numerous optoelectronic applications. Surface ligands are critical for passivating surface defects to enhance the charge transport and photoluminescence quantum yields of the PeNCs. Herein, we investigated the dual functional abilities of bulky cyclic organic ammonium cations as surface-passivating agents and charge scavengers to overcome the lability and insulating nature of conventional long-chain type oleyl amine and oleic acid ligands. Here, red-emitting hybrid PeNCs of the composition Cs_xFA_(1-x)PbBr_yI_(3-y) are chosen as the standard (Std) sample, where cyclohexylammonium (CHA), phenylethylammonium (PEA) and (trifuluoromethyl)benzylamonium (TFB) cations were chosen as the bifunctional surface-passivating ligands. Photoluminescence decay dynamics showed that the chosen cyclic ligands could successfully eliminate the shallow defect-mediated decay process. Further, femtosecond transient absorption spectral (TAS) studies uncovered the rapidly decaying non-radiative pathways; i.e., charge extraction (trapping) by the surface ligands. The charge extraction rates of the bulky cyclic organic ammonium cations were shown to depend on their acid dissociation constant (pKa) values and actinic excitation energies. Excitation wavelength-dependent TAS studies indicate that the exciton trapping rate is slower than the carrier trapping rate of these surface ligands.

In Situ Bonding Regulation of Surface Ligands for Efficient and Stable FAPbI3 Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Quantum dots (QDs) of formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI₃ ) perovskite hold great potential, outperforming their inorganic counterparts in terms of phase stability and carrier lifetime, for high-performance solar cells. However, the highly dynamic nature of FAPbI₃ QDs, which mainly originates from the proton exchange between oleic acid and oleylamine (OAm) surface ligands, is a key hurdle that impedes the fabrication of high-efficiency solar cells. To tackle such an issue, here, protonated-OAm in situ to strengthen the ligand binding at the surface of FAPbI₃ QDs, which can effectively suppress the defect formation during QD synthesis and purification processes is selectively introduced. In addition, by forming a halide-rich surface environment, the ligand density in a broader range for FAPbI₃ QDs without compromising their structural integrity, which significantly improves their optoelectronic properties can be modulated. As a result, the power conversion efficiency of FAPbI₃ QD solar cells (QDSCs) is enhanced from 7.4% to 13.8%, a record for FAPbI₃ QDSCs. Furthermore, the suppressed proton exchange and reduced surface defects in FAPbI₃ QDs also enhance the stability of QDSCs, which retain 80% of the initial efficiency upon exposure to ambient air for 3000 hours.

Ligand-Free Direct Optical Lithography of Bare Colloidal Nanocrystals via Photo-Oxidation of Surface Ions with Porosity Control

Microscale patterning of colloidal nanocrystal (NC) films is important for their integration in devices. Here, we introduce the direct optical patterning of all-inorganic NCs without the use of additional photosensitive ligands or additives. We determined that photoexposure of ligand-stripped, "bare" NCs in air significantly reduces their solubility in polar solvents due to photo-oxidation of surface ions. Doses as low as 20 mJ/cm² could be used; the only obvious criterion for material selection is that the NCs need to have significant absorption at the irradiation wavelength. However, transparent NCs can still be patterned by mixing them with suitably absorbing NCs. This approach enabled the patterning of bare ZnSe, CdSe, ZnS, InP, CeO₂, CdSe/CdS, and CdSe/ZnS NCs as well as mixtures of ZrO₂ or HfO₂ NCs with ZnSe NCs. Optical, X-ray photoelectron, and infrared spectroscopies show that solubility loss results from desorption of bound solvent due to photo-oxidation of surface ions. We also demonstrate two approaches, compatible with our patterning method, for modulating the porosity and refractive index of NC films. Block copolymer templating decreases the film density, and thus the refractive index, by introducing mesoporosity. Alternatively, hot isostatic pressing increases the packing density and refractive index of NC layers. For example, the packing fraction of a ZnS NC film can be increased from 0.51 to 0.87 upon hot isostatic pressing at 450 °C and 15 000 psi. Our findings demonstrate that direct lithography by photo-oxidation of bare NC surfaces is an accessible patterning method for facilitating the exploration of more complex NC device architectures while eliminating the influence of bulky or insulating surfactants.

Direct Patterning of Colloidal Nanocrystals via Thermally Activated Ligand Chemistry

Precise patterning with microscale lateral resolution and widely tunable heights is critical for integrating colloidal nanocrystals into advanced optoelectronic and photonic platforms. However, patterning nanocrystal layers with thickness above 100 nm remains challenging for both conventional and emerging direct photopatterning methods, due to limited light penetration depths, complex mechanical and chemical incompatibilities, and others. Here, we introduce a direct patterning method based on a thermal mechanism, namely, the thermally activated ligand chemistry (or TALC) of nanocrystals. The ligand cross-linking or decomposition reactions readily occur under local thermal stimuli triggered by near-infrared lasers, affording high-resolution and nondestructive patterning of various nanocrystals under mild conditions. Patterned quantum dots fully preserve their structural and photoluminescent quantum yields. The thermal nature allows for TALC to pattern over 10 μm thick nanocrystal layers in a single step, far beyond those achievable in other direct patterning techniques, and also supports the concept of 2.5D patterning. The thermal chemistry-mediated TALC creates more possibilities in integrating nanocrystal layers in uniform arrays or complex hierarchical formats for advanced capabilities in light emission, conversion, and modulation.

Effects of Mono- and Bifunctional Surface Ligands of Cu-In-Se Quantum Dots on Photoelectrochemical Hydrogen Production

Semiconductor nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) are promising materials for solar energy conversion because of their bandgap tunability, high absorption coefficient, and improved hot-carrier generation. CuInSe₂ (CISe)-based QDs have attracted attention because of their low toxicity and wide light-absorption range, spanning visible to near-infrared light. In this work, we study the effects of the surface ligands of colloidal CISe QDs on the photoelectrochemical characteristics of QD-photoanodes. Colloidal CISe QDs with mono- and bifunctional surface ligands are prepared and used in the fabrication of type-II heterojunction photoanodes by adsorbing QDs on mesoporous TiO₂. QDs with monofunctional ligands are directly attached on TiO₂ through partial ligand detachment, which is beneficial for electron transfer between QDs and TiO₂. In contrast, bifunctional ligands bridge QDs and TiO₂, increasing the amount of QD adsorption. Finally, photoanodes fabricated with oleylamine-passivated QDs show a current density of ~8.2 mA/cm², while those fabricated with mercaptopropionic-acid-passivated QDs demonstrate a current density of ~6.7 mA/cm² (at 0.6 V_RHE under one sun illumination). Our study provides important information for the preparation of QD photoelectrodes for efficient photoelectrochemical hydrogen generation.

Ligands Mediate Anion Exchange between Colloidal Lead-Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

The soft lattice of lead-halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) allows tuning their optoelectronic characteristics via anion exchange by introducing halide salts to a solution of perovskite NCs. Similarly, cross-anion exchange can occur upon mixing NCs of different perovskite halides. This process, though, is detrimental for applications requiring perovskite NCs with different halides in close proximity. We study the effects of various stabilizing surface ligands on the kinetics of the cross-anion exchange reaction, comparing zwitterionic and ionic ligands. The kinetic analysis, inspired by the "cage effect" for solution reactions, showcases a mechanism where the surface capping ligands act as anion carriers that diffuse to the NC surface, forming an encounter pair enclosed by the surrounding ligands that initiates the anion exchange process. The zwitterionic ligands considerably slow down the cross-anion exchange process, and while they do not fully inhibit it, they confer improved stability alongside enhanced solubility relevant for various applications.

Uncovering the Role of Hole Traps in Promoting Hole Transfer from Multiexcitonic Quantum Dots to Molecular Acceptors

Understanding electronic dynamics in multiexcitonic quantum dots (QDs) is important for designing efficient systems useful in high power scenarios, such as solar concentrators and multielectron charge transfer. The multiple charge carriers within a QD can undergo undesired Auger recombination events, which rapidly annihilate carriers on picosecond time scales and generate heat from absorbed photons instead of useful work. Compared to the transfer of multiple electrons, the transfer of multiple holes has proven to be more difficult due to slower hole transfer rates. To probe the competition between Auger recombination and hole transfer in CdSe, CdS, and CdSe/CdS QDs of varying sizes, we synthesized a phenothiazine derivative with optimized functionalities for binding to QDs as a hole accepting ligand and for spectroscopic observation of hole transfer. Transient absorption spectroscopy was used to monitor the photoinduced absorption features from both trapped holes and oxidized ligands under excitation fluences where the averaged initial number of excitons in a QD ranged from ∼1 to 19. We observed fluence-dependent hole transfer kinetics that last around 100 ps longer than the predicted Auger recombination lifetimes, and the transfer of up to 3 holes per QD. Theoretical modeling of the kinetics suggests that binding of hole acceptors introduces trapping states significantly different from those in native QDs passivated with oleate ligands. Holes in these modified trap states have prolonged lifetimes, which promotes the hole transfer efficiency. These results highlight the beneficial role of hole-trapping states in devising hole transfer pathways in QD-based systems under multiexcitonic conditions.

Glycine-Functionalized CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals for Efficient Visible-Light Photocatalysis of CO2 Reduction

Capping ligands are indispensable for the preparation of metal-halide-perovskite (MHP) nanocrystals (NCs) with good stability; however, the long alkyl-chain capping ligands in conventional MHP NCs will be unfavorable for CO₂ adsorption and hinder the efficient carrier separation on the surface of MHP NCs, leading to inferior catalytic activity in artificial photosynthesis. Herein, CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals with short-chain glycine as ligand are constructed through a facile ligand-exchange strategy. Owing to the reduced hindrance of glycine and the presence of the amine group in glycine, the photogenerated carrier separation and CO₂ uptake capacity are noticeably improved without compromising the stability of the MHP NCs. The CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals with glycine ligands exhibit a significantly increased yield of 27.7 μmol g^-1  h^-1 for photocatalytic CO₂ -to-CO conversion without any organic sacrificial reagents, which is over five times higher than that of control CsPbBr₃ NCs with conventional long alkyl-chain capping ligands.

α-CsPbBr3 Perovskite Quantum Dots for Application in Semitransparent Photovoltaics

As effective light absorbers in solar cells, CsPbI₃ all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (QDs) have received increasing attention, benefitting from their suitable optical band gap and thermal stability. However, the easy cubic to yellow orthorhombic phase transition hinders their further application in stable photovoltaic devices. CsPbBr₃ QDs have been targeted as a promising material for ultrahigh voltage and stable solar cells. In this work, we first develop a simple yet efficient post-treatment method using guanidinium thiocyanate (GASCN), which is able to exchange the native capping ligands of CsPbBr₃ QDs, thus improving the carrier transport properties through enhanced electrical coupling between QDs. Additionally, the morphology and crystalline properties of solid QD films are also improved. Therefore, simultaneously improved open-circuit voltage (V_oc), short-circuit current density (J_sc), and fill factor (FF) were obtained in the corresponding CsPbBr₃ QD devices. Finally, the QD solar cells based on optimal hole-transporting layers delivered the highest efficiency exceeding 5% together with an ultrahigh V_oc of 1.65 V, representing the most efficient CsPbBr₃ QD solar cells to date. More importantly, the CsPbBr₃ perovskite QD solar cells developed here exhibit excellent stability, ultrahigh voltage, and high transparency over the entire visible spectrum region, demonstrating their great potential in applications like solar windows of greenhouse and hydrogen generation driven by perovskite solar cells.

Design of Magnetic-Plasmonic Nanoparticle Assemblies via Interface Engineering of Plasmonic Shells for Targeted Cancer Cell Imaging and Separation

Magnetic-plasmonic nanoparticles have received considerable attention for widespread applications. These nanoparticles (NPs) exhibiting surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) activities are developed due to their potential in bio-sensing applicable in non-destructive and sensitive analysis with target-specific separation. However, it is challenging to synthesize these NPs that simultaneously exhibit low remanence, maximized magnetic content, plasmonic coverage with abundant hotspots, and structural uniformity. Here, a method that involves the conjugation of a magnetic template with gold seeds via chemical binding and seed-mediated growth is proposed, with the objective of obtaining plasmonic nanostructures with abundant hotspots on a magnetic template. To obtain a clean surface for directly functionalizing ligands and enhancing the Raman intensity, an additional growth step of gold (Au) and/or silver (Ag) atoms is proposed after modifying the Raman molecules on the as-prepared magnetic-plasmonic nanoparticles. Importantly, one-sided silver growth occurred in an environment where gold facets are blocked by Raman molecules; otherwise, the gold growth is layer-by-layer. Moreover, simultaneous reduction by gold and silver ions allowed for the formation of a uniform bimetallic layer. The enhancement factor of the nanoparticles with a bimetallic layer is approximately 10⁷ . The SERS probes functionalized cyclic peptides are employed for targeted cancer-cell imaging and separation.

A Chemically Orthogonal Hole Transport Layer for Efficient Colloidal Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are of interest in light of their solution-processing and bandgap tuning. Advances in the performance of CQD optoelectronic devices require fine control over the properties of each layer in the device materials stack. This is particularly challenging in the present best CQD solar cells, since these employ a p-type hole-transport layer (HTL) implemented using 1,2-ethanedithiol (EDT) ligand exchange on top of the CQD active layer. It is established that the high reactivity of EDT causes a severe chemical modification to the active layer that deteriorates charge extraction. By combining elemental mapping with the spatial charge collection efficiency in CQD solar cells, the key materials interface dominating the subpar performance of prior CQD PV devices is demonstrated. This motivates to develop a chemically orthogonal HTL that consists of malonic-acid-crosslinked CQDs. The new crosslinking strategy preserves the surface chemistry of the active layer beneath, and at the same time provides the needed efficient charge extraction. The new HTL enables a 1.4× increase in charge carrier diffusion length in the active layer; and as a result leads to an improvement in power conversion efficiency to 13.0% compared to EDT standard cells (12.2%).

High-Performance Hybrid InP QDs/Black Phosphorus Photodetector

Zero-dimensional-two-dimensional (0D-2D) hybrid optoelectronic devices have demonstrated high sensitivity and high performance due to the high absorption coefficient of 0D materials with a tunable detection range and a high carrier transport property of 2D materials. However, the reported 0D-2D hybrid devices employ toxic nanomaterials as sensitizing layers, which can limit the practical applications. In this study, we first fabricated the 0D-2D hybrid photodetector using nontoxic InP quantum dots (QDs) as a light-absorbing layer and black phosphorus (BP) as a transport layer. The surface treatment using 1,2-ethanedithiol and thermal treatment were carried out to remove the surface long ligands of colloidal QDs, which can accelerate the charge injection of the photogenerated carriers through the interfaces between InP QDs and BP. The InP QDs/BP hybrid photodetector demonstrates a high responsivity of 1 × 10⁹ A/W and detectivity of 4.5 × 10¹⁶ Jones at 0.05 μW cm^-2 under 405 nm illumination. The results show that 0D-2D hybrid photodetectors based on III-V semiconducting QD materials can be optimized for high-performance photodetectors.

Binary Assembly of PbS and Au Nanocrystals: Patchy PbS Surface Ligand Coverage Stabilizes the CuAu Superlattice

Self-assembly of two sizes of nearly spherical colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) capped with hydrocarbon surface ligands has been shown to produce more than 20 distinct phases of binary nanocrystal superlattices (BNSLs). Such structural diversity, in striking contrast to binary systems of micron-sized colloidal beads, cannot be rationalized by models assuming entropy-driven crystallization of simple spheres. In this work, we show that the PbS ligand binding equilibrium controls the relative stability of two closely related BNSL structures featuring alternating layers of PbS and Au NCs. At an intermediate size ratio, as-prepared PbS NCs assemble with Au NCs into CuAu BNSLs featuring orientational coherence of PbS NCs across the lattice. Measurement of interparticle separations within CuAu and modeling of the structure reveal that PbS inorganic cores are nearly in contact through (100) NC surfaces in the square tiling of the CuAu basal plane. On the other hand, AlB₂ BNSLs with PbS NCs packed in random orientations were found to be the dominant self-assembly product when the same binary NC solution was evaporated in the presence of added oleic acid (OAH). Solution nuclear magnetic resonance titration experiments confirmed that added OAH binds to PbS NCs, implicating ligand surface coverage as an important factor influencing the relative stability of CuAu and AlB₂ BNSLs at the experimental size ratio. From these results, we conclude that as-prepared PbS NCs feature sparsely covered (100) surfaces and thus effectively flat patches along NC x-, y-, and z-directions. Such anisotropic PbS-PbS interactions can be efficiently screened by restoring effectively spherical NC shape via addition of OAH to the binary assembly solution. Our findings underscore the important contribution of NC surfaces to superlattice phase stability and offer a strategy for targeted BNSL assembly.

Depletion-Mediated Interfacial Assembly of Semiconductor Nanorods

Electronic devices comprised of nanocrystal (NC) thin film are projected to demonstrate enhanced figure of merit if NC building blocks self-assemble into highly uniform, 2-dimensional (2-D) superstructures with long-range order. Despite intensive research efforts and remarkable progress, long-range assembly of colloidal anisotropic NCs into thin films with orientational and positional order has remained to be addressed. One of the most promising approaches is to dissolve excess free molecules into NC solution, which has enabled the formation of NC monolayers with exceptional quality at air/solution interface. Nevertheless, the assembly mechanism and the role of free molecules have not been comprehensively elucidated, restricting the use of the approach. Here, we find that the interfacial assembly of CdSe/CdS core/shell nanorods (NRs) results in various ordered structures in the presence of free oleic acid molecules. The structures include a bundle of standing NRs, a belt of multilayered lying NRs, and a monolayer smectic phase, obtained by simple change in density of surface ligands on the NRs. Experimental observation and theoretical calculation reveal that the assembly is initiated at the air/solution interface due to the preferential depletion attraction of NRs to the interface. However, subsequent growth is significantly altered depending on the ligand density that determines the relative magnitude of interface-NR depletion attraction to inter-NR attraction. Highly ordered structures of NRs, especially for the monolayer smectic phase, are promising as a polarized light-emitting layer for thin-film optical devices. In addition, our findings on the depletion-mediated NR assembly provide important and universal design criteria for 2-D structuring of NCs with diverse geometries and compositions.

Surface Modification of CdSe Quantum-Dot Floating Gates for Advancing Light-Erasable Organic Field-Effect Transistor Memories

Photoresponsive transistor memories that can be erased using light-only bias are of significant interest owing to their convenient elimination of stored data for information delivery. Herein, we suggest a strategy to improve light-erasable organic transistor memories, which enables fast "photoinduced recovery" under low-intensity light. CdSe quantum dots (QDs) whose surfaces are covered with three different organic molecules are introduced as photoactive floating-gate interlayers in organic transistor memories. We determine that CdSe QDs capped or surface-modified with small molecular ligands lead to efficient hole diffusion from the QDs to the conducting channel during "photoinduced recovery", resulting in faster erasing times. In particular, the memories with QDs surface-modified with fluorinated molecules function as normally-ON type transistor memories with nondestructive operation. These memories exhibit high memory ratios over 10⁵ between OFF and ON bistable current states for over 10 000 s and good dynamic switching behavior with voltage-driven programming processes and light-assisted erasing processes within 1 s. Our study provides a useful guideline for designing photoactive floating-gate materials to achieve desirable properties of light-erasable organic transistor memories.

Room-Temperature Triple-Ligand Surface Engineering Synergistically Boosts Ink Stability, Recombination Dynamics, and Charge Injection toward EQE-11.6% Perovskite QLEDs

Developing low-cost and high-quality quantum dots (QDs) or nanocrystals (NCs) and their corresponding efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs) is crucial for the next-generation ultra-high-definition flexible displays. Here, there is a report on a room-temperature triple-ligand surface engineering strategy to play the synergistic role of short ligands of tetraoctylammonium bromide (TOAB), didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DDAB), and octanoic acid (OTAc) toward "ideal" perovskite QDs with a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of >90%, unity radiative decay in its intrinsic channel, stable ink characteristics, and effective charge injection and transportation in QD films, resulting in the highly efficient QD-based LEDs (QLEDs). Furthermore, the QD films with less nonradiative recombination centers exhibit improved PL properties with a PLQY of 61% through dopant engineering in A-site. The robustness of such properties is demonstrated by the fabrication of green electroluminescent LEDs based on CsPbBr₃ QDs with the peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 11.6%, and the corresponding peak internal quantum efficiency (IQE) and power efficiency are 52.2% and 44.65 lm W^-1 , respectively, which are the most-efficient perovskite QLEDs with colloidal CsPbBr₃ QDs as emitters up to now. These results demonstrate that the as-obtained QD inks have a wide range application in future high-definition QD displays and high-quality lightings.

Comparison of Phonon Damping Behavior in Quantum Dots Capped with Organic and Inorganic Ligands

Surface ligand modification of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals has been widely used as a means of controlling photoexcited-state generation, relaxation, and coupling to the environment. While progress has been made in understanding how surface ligand modification affects the behavior of electronic states, less is known about the influence of surface ligand modification on phonon behavior, which impacts relaxation dynamics and transport phenomena. In this work, we compare the dynamics of optical and acoustic phonons in CdTe quantum dots (QDs), CdTe/CdSe core/shell QDs capped with octadecylphosphonic acid ligands, and CdTe QDs capped with Se^2- to ascertain how ligand exchange from native aliphatic ligands to single-atom Se^2- ligands affects phonon behavior. We use transient absorption spectroscopy and observe modulations in the kinetics of excited-state decay due to QD lattice vibrations from both optical and acoustic phonons, which we describe using the damped oscillator model. The longitudinal optical phonons have similar frequencies and damping behavior in all three samples. In contrast, the longitudinal acoustic phonon mode in the Se^2--capped CdTe QDs is severely damped, much more so than in CdTe and CdTe/CdSe QDs capped with the native aliphatic ligands. We attribute these differences in the acoustic phonon behavior to the differences in how the QD dissipates vibrational energy to its surroundings as a function of ligand identity. Our results indicate that these inorganic surface-capping ligands enhance not only the electronic but also the mechanical coupling of nanocrystals with their environment.

Surface Engineering of Spherical Metal Nanoparticles with Polymers toward Selective Asymmetric Synthesis of Nanobowls and Janus-Type Dimers

New synthetic methods capable of controlling structural and compositional complexities of asymmetric nanoparticles (NPs) are very challenging but highly desired. A simple and general synthetic approach to designing sophisticated asymmetric NPs by anisotropically patterning the surface of isotropic metallic NPs with amphiphilic block copolymers (BCPs) is reported. The selective galvanic replacement and seed-mediated growth of a second metal can be achieved on the exposed surface of metal NPs, resulting in the formation of nanobowls and Janus-type metal-metal dimers, respectively. Using Ag and Au NPs tethered with amphiphilic block copolymers of poly(ethylene oxide)-block-polystyrene (PEO-b-PS), anisotropic surface patterning of metallic NPs (e.g., Ag and Au) is shown to be driven by thermodynamical phase segregation of BCP ligands on isotropic metal NPs. Two proof-of-concept experiments are given on, i) synthesis of Au nanobowls by a selective galvanic replacement reaction on Janus-type patched Ag/polymer NPs; and ii) preparation of Au-Pd heterodimers and Au-Au homodimers by a seed-mediated growth on Janus-type patched Au/polymer NPs. The method shows remarkable versatility; and it can be easily handled in aqueous solution. This synthetic strategy stands out as the new methodology to design and synthesis asymmetric metal NPs with sophisticated topologies.

Dynamic Nanoparticle Assemblies for Biomedical Applications

Designed synthesis and assembly of nanoparticles assisted by their surface ligands can create "smart" materials with programmed responses to external stimuli for biomedical applications. These assemblies can be designed to respond either exogenously (for example, to magnetic field, temperature, ultrasound, light, or electric pulses) or endogenously (to pH, enzymatic activity, or redox gradients) and play an increasingly important role in a diverse range of biomedical applications, such as biosensors, drug delivery, molecular imaging, and novel theranostic systems. In this review, the recent advances and challenges in the development of stimuli-responsive nanoparticle assemblies are summarized; in particular, the application-driven design of surface ligands for stimuli-responsive nanoparticle assemblies that are capable of sensing small changes in the disease microenvironment, which induce the related changes in their physico-chemical properties, is described. Finally, possible future research directions and problems that have to be addressed are briefly discussed.

Highly Sensitive Chemical Detection with Tunable Sensitivity and Selectivity from Ultrathin Platinum Nanowires

Ultrathin platinum nanowires obtained from wet-synthesis with no strong binding ligands exhibit very high sensitivity toward hydrogen gas (two orders of magnitude increase compared with state-of-the-art devices). Their chemical sensitivity, selectivity, and other sensing characteristics can be rationally tailored through further surface engineering. A significantly reduced cross-sensitivity toward humidity is achieved, while the hydrogen sensitivity is preserved or even enhanced.

Oleic Acid-Induced Atomic Alignment of ZnS Polyhedral Nanocrystals

Ordered two-dimensional (2D) superstructures of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) can be tailored by the size, shape, composition, and surface chemistry of the NC building blocks, which can give directionality to the resulting superstructure geometry. The exact formation mechanism of 2D NC superstructures is however not yet fully understood. Here, we show that oleic acid (OA) ligands induce atomic alignment of wurtzite ZnS bifrustum-shaped NCs. We find that in the presence of OA ligands the {002} facets of the ZnS bifrustums preferentially adhere to the liquid-air interface. Furthermore, OA ligands induce inter-NC interactions that also orient the NCs in the plane of the liquid-air interface, resulting in atomically aligned 2D superstructures. We follow the self-assembly process in real-time with in situ grazing incidence small-angle X-ray scattering and find that the NCs form a hexagonal superstructure at early stages after which they come closer over time, resulting in a close-packed NC superstructure. Our results demonstrate the profound influence that surface ligands have on the directionality of 2D NC superstructures and highlight the importance of detailed in situ studies in order to understand the self-assembly of NCs into 2D superstructures.

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.

Doping control via molecularly engineered surface ligand coordination

A means to control the net doping of a CQD solid is identified via the design of the bidentate ligand crosslinking the material. The strategy does not rely on implementing different atmospheres at different steps in device processing, but instead is a robust strategy implemented in a single processing ambient. We achieve an order of magnitude difference in doping that allows us to build a graded photovoltaic device and maintain high current and voltage at maximum power-point conditions.

Effect of surface ligands on the optical properties of aqueous soluble CdTe quantum dots

We investigate systematically the influence of the nature of thiol-type capping ligands on the optical and structural properties of highly luminescent CdTe quantum dots synthesized in aqueous media, comparing mercaptopropionic acid (MPA), thioglycolic acid (TGA), 1-thioglycerol (TGH), and glutathione (GSH). The growth rate, size distribution, and quantum yield strongly depend on the type of surface ligand used. While TGH binds too strongly to the nanocrystal surface inhibiting growth, the use of GSH results in the fastest growth kinetics. TGA and MPA show intermediate growth kinetics, but MPA yields a much lower initial size distribution than TGA. The obtained fluorescence quantum yields range from 38% to 73%. XPS studies unambiguously put into evidence the formation of a CdS shell on the CdTe core due to the thermal decomposition of the capping ligands. This shell is thicker when GSH is used as ligand, as compared with TGA ligands.