Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Synthesis, Properties, and Applications

80.1K
views
55
authors
10
articles
Editors
3
Impact
Loading...
10,225 views
39 citations
Review
17 April 2019
Quantum Dots Synthesis Through Direct Laser Patterning: A Review
Francesco Antolini
 and 
Leonardo Orazi

In this brief review the advances on Direct Laser Patterning (DLP) for the synthesis of photo-luminescent semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) belonging to II-VI groups, especially in solid state using laser-assisted conversion are reported and commented. The chemistry of the precursor synthesis is illustrated because it is a crucial step for the development of the direct laser patterning of QDs. In particular, the analysis of cadmium (bis)thiolate and cadmium xanthates precursors after thermal and laser treatment is examined, with a special focus on the optical properties of the formed QDs. The second part of the review examines how the laser parameters such as the wavelength and pulse duration may regulate the properties of the patterned QDs. The DLP technique does not require complex laser systems or the use of dangerous chemical post treatments, so it can be introduced as a potential method for the patterning of pixels in quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) for display manufacturing.

11,586 views
35 citations

Advances in the technology and processing of flexible optical materials have paved the way toward the integration of semiconductor emitters and polymers into functional light emitting fabrics. Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals appear as highly suitable optical sensitizers for such polymer fiber emitters due to their ease of fabrication, versatile solution-processing and highly efficient, tunable, and narrow emission across the visible spectrum. A beneficial byproduct of the nanocrystal incorporation into the polymer matrix is that it provides a facile and low-cost method to chemically and structurally stabilize the perovskite nanocrystals under ambient conditions. Herein, we demonstrate two types of robust fiber composites based on electrospun hydrophobic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or hydrophilic polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) fibrous membranes sensitized by green-emitting all-inorganic CsPbBr3 or hybrid organic-inorganic FAPbBr3 nanocrystals. We perform a systematic investigation on the influence of the nanocrystal-polymer relative content on the structural and optical properties of the fiber nanocomposites and we find that within a wide content range, the nanocrystals retain their narrow and high quantum yield emission upon incorporation into the polymer fibers. Quenching of the radiative recombination at the higher/lower bound of the nanocrystal:polymer mass ratio probed is discussed in terms of nanocrystal clustering/ligand desorption due to dilution effects, respectively. The nanocomposite's optical stability over an extended exposure in air and upon immersion in water is also discussed. The studies confirm the demonstration of robust and bright polymer-fiber emitters with promising applications in backlighting for LCD displays and textile-based light emitting devices.

6,691 views
25 citations
10,452 views
24 citations
Illustration of the main challenges that need to be addressed to bring the field of IR nanocrystals to a mature level for thermal imaging.
Review
28 November 2018
Road Map for Nanocrystal Based Infrared Photodetectors
Clément Livache
3 more and 
Emmanuel Lhuillier

Infrared (IR) sensors based on epitaxially grown semiconductors face two main challenges which are their prohibitive cost and the difficulty to rise the operating temperature. The quest for alternative technologies which will tackle these two difficulties requires the development of new IR active materials. Over the past decade, significant progresses have been achieved. In this perspective, we summarize the current state of the art relative to nanocrystal based IR sensing and stress the main materials, devices and industrial challenges which will have to be addressed over the 5 next years.

8,223 views
60 citations
Mini Review
15 August 2018
Challenges and Prospects of Photocatalytic Applications Utilizing Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Pavel Moroz
1 more and 
Mikhail Zamkov
(a) CdSe/CdS nanorods appended with a Pt co-catalyst that serves the role of an electron sink for the accumulation of photoinduced electrons at a single reductive site. Adapted with permission from Kalisman et al. (2016). Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society. (b,c) TEM images of CdSe/CdS nanorods selectively tipped with a Pt catalyst on one side. Based on the location of the CdSe bulb, Pt appears to grow on an opposite end. Adapted with permission from Khon et al. (2013). Copyright 2016 American Chemical Society. (d) Photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution from aqueous Na2S solution with over 100% of incident photon-to-current efficiency (IPCE). PbS NC-based active region of the working electrode (right, brown spheres) where one photon may be converted into two electron-hole pairs via MEG (Yang et al., 2014). Energized electrons are then transferred to the dark electrode (left) for H2 production and sulfide ions are oxidized by the holes. (d) Illustration of the H2 evolution on CZTS-Pt heterostructured nanoparticles in the presence of S2− and SO32- hole scavengers. Adapted with permission from Yu et al. (2014a).

Photocatalytic systems based on colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals have gained considerable attention owing to potential benefits that include a visible-range light extinction and a low spatial overlap of photoinduced charges. When coupled to metal catalysts, nanocrystal sensitizers have demonstrated a compelling performance in homogenous photoreduction reactions, including the degradation of organic dyes and hydrogen generation. Going beyond half-cycle reactions, however, the progress in the field of nanocrystal photocatalysis has been rather limited. Here, we review some of the challenges associated with photocatalytic applications of colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals and highlight possible directions aimed toward their resolution. A particular emphasis was made on new paradigms in this field, including the possibility of harvesting triplet excitons and utilizing nanocrystal assemblies to accumulate multiple charges at the reaction site.

8,280 views
51 citations
Open for submission
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Advances in Nano-Scale Systems with Optics (Nano-Chemical, Nanomaterial, and Nano-Biomedicine) - Volume II
Edited by Honghui He, Martin Booth, Chao He, Siwei Zhang
Deadline
30 September 2025
Submit a paper
Recommended Research Topics
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Metal and Semiconductor Nanocrystals
Edited by Jing Zhao, Shengli Zou, Jie He, Ou Chen
68.5K
views
58
authors
10
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Functionalized Inorganic Semiconductor Nanomaterials: Characterization, Properties, and Applications
Edited by Kezhen Qi, Rengaraj Selvaraj, Liwei Wang
115.8K
views
90
authors
18
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Emerging Nanomaterials for Energy Conversion and Storage Applications
Edited by Guohua Jia, Hongbo Li, Zongyou Yin
95.2K
views
65
authors
11
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Advances in Nano-Scale Systems with Optics (Nano-Chemical, Nanomaterial, and Nano-Biomedicine)
Edited by Honghui He, Martin Booth, Chao He, Siwei Zhang
84.8K
views
115
authors
17
articles
Frontiers Logo

Frontiers in Chemistry

Micro/Nano Materials for Energy Storage and Conversion
Edited by Jinlin Lu, SHIYONG ZHAO, Hailong Wang, Andreas Ruediger, FENG GU, Dongliang Yan
43.4K
views
93
authors
14
articles