Liquid-liquid diffusion ‐ assisted crystallization: a fast and versatile approach toward high quality mixed quantum dot ‐ salt crystals
Author
Adam, M.
Wang, Z.
Dubavik, A.
Stachowski, G. M.
Meerbach, C.
Soran-Erdem, Z.
Rengers, C.
Demir, Hilmi Volkan
Gaponik N.
Eychmuller, A.
Date
2015Source Title
Advanced Functional Materials
Print ISSN
1616-301X
Publisher
Wiley-VCH Verlag
Volume
25
Issue
18
Pages
2638 - 2645
Language
English
Type
ArticleItem Usage Stats
132
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186
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Abstract
Here, a new, fast, and versatile method for the incorporation of colloidal quantum dots (QDs) into ionic matrices enabled by liquid-liquid diffusion is demonstrated. QDs bear a huge potential for numerous applications thanks to their unique chemical and physical properties. However, stability and processability are essential for their successful use in these applications. Incorporating QDs into a tight and chemically robust ionic matrix is one possible approach to increase both their stability and processability. With the proposed liquid-liquid diffusion-assisted crystallization (LLDC), substantially accelerated ionic crystallization of the QDs is shown, reducing the crystallization time needed by one order of magnitude. This fast process allows to incorporate even the less stable colloids including initially oil-based ligand-exchanged QDs into salt matrices. Furthermore, in a modified two-step approach, the seed-mediated LLDC provides the ability to incorporate oil-based QDs directly into ionic matrices without a prior phase transfer. Finally, making use of their processability, a proof-of-concept white light emitting diode with LLDC-based mixed QD-salt films as an excellent color-conversion layer is demonstrated. These findings suggest that the LLDC offers a robust, adaptable, and rapid technique for obtaining high quality QD-salts.
Keywords
Light - emitting - diodesColloidal nanocrystals
Cdte nanocrystals
Semiconductor nanocrystals
Aqueous - solution
Optical gain
Fluorescence
Electroluminescence
Emission
Polymer