Alloyed heterostructures of CdSexS1-x nanoplatelets with highly tunable optical gain performance

Abstract

Here, we designed and synthesized alloyed heterostructures of CdSexS1-x nanoplatelets (NPLs) using CdS coating in the lateral and vertical directions for the achievement of highly tunable optical gain performance. By using homogeneously alloyed CdSexS1-x core NPLs as a seed, we prepared CdSexS1-x/CdS core/crown NPLs, where CdS crown region is extended only in the lateral direction. With the sidewall passivation around inner CdSexS1-x cores, we achieved enhanced photoluminescence quantum yield (PL-QY) (reaching 60%), together with increased absorption cross-section and improved stability without changing the emission spectrum of CdSexS1-x alloyed core NPLs. In addition, we further extended the spectral tunability of these solution-processed NPLs with the synthesis of CdSexS1-x/CdS core/shell NPLs. Depending on the sulfur composition of the CdSexS1-x core and thickness of the CdS shell, CdSexS1-x/CdS core/shell NPLs possessed highly tunable emission characteristics within the spectral range of 560-650 nm. Finally, we studied the optical gain performances of different heterostructures of CdSexS1-x alloyed NPLs offering great advantages, including reduced reabsorption and spectrally tunable optical gain range. Despite their decreased PL-QY and reduced absorption cross-section upon increasing the sulfur composition, CdSexS1-x based NPLs exhibit highly tunable amplified spontaneous emission performance together with low gain thresholds down to ∼53 μJ/cm2.