Quantum dots (QDs) are semiconductor nanocrystals with sizes on the order of several nanometers, whose bandgaps can be tuned by controlling the particle size. Owing to this bandgap tunability, QDs can absorb near-infrared (NIR) and short-wave infrared (SWIR) light, spectral regions that are difficult to access with conventional silicon-based devices. However, colloidal QDbased infrared photodetectors still suffer from intrinsically high dark current, trap-induced noise, and limited response speed. As a result, they exhibit fundamental performance gaps in terms of detectivity and speed–bandwidth product compared to epitaxial infrared detectors, highlighting the need for structural and architectural design strategies to overcome these limitations. In this review, we discuss recent advances in enhancing the spectral selectivity and sensitivity of infrared photodetectors through three-dimensional optical architectures, including metasurfaces and metamaterials. We focus in particular on design strategies and the underlying mechanisms responsible for performance enhancement, and we outline how structural approaches can be leveraged to effectively control the sensitivity and wavelength selectivity of QD-based infrared detectors.
Quantum dots (QDs) offer size-dependent tunability across the infrared to ultraviolet range with narrow emission linewidths and high color purity, making them highly attractive for next-generation light-emitting devices. Quantum dot lightemitting diodes (QLEDs) further combine precise spectral control with scalable, low-cost solution processing, positioning them as strong candidates for wearable, stretchable, and AR/VR display technologies. However, conventional single-emission QLEDs suffer from charge imbalance, efficiency roll-off, and limited operational lifetime, necessitating new device architectures. Tandem QLEDs, which vertically stack multiple emissive layers (EMLs) connected by charge generation layers (CGLs), provide a compelling solution by enabling higher luminance, improved charge balance, and longer lifetime at equivalent current density. The CGL serves as the interfacial region mediating charge injection and generation between adjacent EMLs, directly determining device efficiency and stability. This review highlights recent progress in CGL engineering, categorizing representative designs into planar heterojunction, inorganic-based, and dipole-based configurations. Comparative analysis of their formation mechanisms, material systems, and process compatibilities reveals evolving charge-control strategies that extend beyond material selection. These insights establish design principles for next-generation tandem QLEDs with enhanced efficiency, durability, and manufacturability.
This study explores the realization of high-efficiency white LED lighting by applying cyan-emitting quantum dot (CQD) and red-emitting quantum dot (R-QD) deposition without any host matrix onto a yellow-emitting phosphor-in-glass (YPIG) substrate using an aerosol-assisted deposition (AAD) process. The AAD process facilitates the direct formation of densely packed QD-deposited layers on the substrate, effectively addressing challenges such as optical efficiency loss and degradation typically associated with organic host matrices. C-QD and R-QD coatings, deposited with thicknesses of 0.84 μm and 0.77 μm on the upper and lower Y-PIG substrate, exhibited robust color conversion properties. These films achieved a luminous efficacy of 77 lm/W and a high color rendering index (CRI) of 96.8 under blue light excitation. The dual-layer structure produced highquality light closely resembling natural daylight, as confirmed through real image. Consequently, the research suggests the potential of AAD-based QD deposition to achieve superior performance without relying on host matrices, offering a viable solution for high-efficiency lighting applications. Further optimization of deposition parameters and exploration of diverse substrates and QD material combinations are expected to expand the applicability of this technique in future research.
Color conversion layer refers to a layer that converts the blue light emitted from the backlight into the red and green light. Heavy metal-free quantum dots and perovskite nanocrystals have attracted great attention as base materials for color conversion layers due to their outstanding optical characteristics. Here, we review recent advances in the development of color conversion layers based on quantum dots. First, we overview the representative optical characteristics of quantum dots and perovskite nanocrystals, and then introduce printing techniques for color converting layers including photolithography, inkjet printing, and nanoimprinting. Finally, we conclude this review with a brief perspective.
Electrohydrodynamic jet (e-jet) printing, a type of direct contactless microfabrication technology, is a versatile fabrication process that enables a wide range of micro/nanopattern arrays by applying a strong electric field between the nozzle and the substrate. In general, the morphology and the thickness of polymers/quantum dot micropatterns show a systematic dependence on the diameter of the nozzle and the ink composition with a fully automated printing machine. The purpose of this report is to provide typical examples of e-jet printed micropatterns of polymers/quantum dots to explain the effect of each process variable on the result of experiments. Here, we demonstrate several operating conditions that allow high-resolution printing of layers of polymers/quantum dots with a precise control over thickness and submicron lateral resolution.
In this work, we synthesized alloy-core InZnP quantum dots, which are more efficient than single-core InP quantum dots, using a solution process method. The effect of synthesis conditions of alloy core on optical properties was investigated. We also investigated the conditions that make up the gradient shell to minimize defects caused by lattice mismatch between the InZnP core and ZnS is 7.7%. The stable synthesis temperature of the InZnP alloy core was 200℃. Quantum dots consisting of three layered ZnSe gradient shell and single layered ZnS exhibited the best optical property. The properties of quantum dots synthesized in 100 ml and in 2,000 ml flasks were almost equal.
A poly[bis(4-butypheny)-bis(phenyl)benzidine] (poly-TPD) and poly(9-vinylcarbazole) (PVK) bilayer was employed as a hole transport layer (HTL) in solution-processed CdSe/ZnS quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). The thickness of the PVK layer spin-coated onto the poly-TPD layer, whose thickness was fixed to 40 nm, was varied, with PVK layer thicknesses of 0 nm, 35 nm, 45 nm, and 55 nm. Because the thickness of the PVK can determine the hole transport properties of the HTL, a PVK thickness that maximizes the performance of the HTL for the QLEDs was investigated. By employing the optimized PVK thickness of 45 nm, the current efficiency of the QLED exhibited a 1.74 times improvement when compared with that of the QLED with poly-TPD based HTL without PVK. This was mainly attributed to the decrease in the energy barrier between the HTL and the quantum dot (QD) emitting layer (EML).
We investigated the temperature-dependent photoluminescence spectroscopy of colloidal InZnP/ZnSe/ZnS (core/ shell/shell) quantum dots with varying ZnSe and ZnS shell thickness in the 278~363 K temperature range. Temperature-dependent photoluminescence of the InZnP-based quantum dot samples reveal red-shifting of the photoluminescence peaks, thermal quenching of photoluminescence, and broadening of bandwidth with increasing temperature. The degree of bandgap shifting and line broadening as a function of temperature is affected little by shell composition and thickness. However, the thermal quenching of the photoluminescence is strongly dependent on the shell components. The irreversible photoluminescence quenching behavior is dominant for thin-shell-deposited InZnP quantum dots, whereas thick-shelled InZnP quantum dots exhibit superior thermal stability of the photoluminescence intensity.
In this study, the physical and optical properties of ZnS:Mn2+ Quantum Dot prepared by wet-process condition with Mn/Zn ratio was valuated. The powder characteristics and optical behavior were investigated through XRD, TEM and Photo spectrometer exicted by various UV light source. We found the main peak of ZnS (111) was shifted by 0.8 degree to low angle position with increasing stirring energy from 200 RPM to 600 RPM, which is thought to be the increase of lattice defects during wet process. The photo luminescence at 600 RPM shows also higher blue intensity which is well correlated with XRD results. With increasing Mn/Zn ratio, the PL intensity become higher and shifed by 8.5nm to right side, by the increment of substitutional Mn2+ ions.
Recently perovskite materials with much cheaper cost and marvellous optoelectronic properties have been studied for next generation LED display devices overseas. Technology development trends of inorganic CsPbX3(X=halogen) based LEDs (PeLEDs) with assumed high stability were investigated on literature worldwide. It was found that syntheses methods of these nanocrystals (NCs, mainly quantum dots, QDs) made great progress. A new room temperature synthesis method showed outstanding PL (photoluminescence) properties such as high quantum yield (QY), narrow emission width, storage stability comparable with, or often exceeding those of conventional hot injection method and CdSe@ZnS type inorganic colloidal QDs. PeLEDs with shell layers might be more promising, indicating urgent real research start of this solution processing technology for small businesses in Korea.
We have developed quantum dot light emitting diodes (QD-LEDs) using a InP/ZnSe/ZnS multi-shell QD emission layer. The hybrid structure of organic hole transport layer/QD/organic electron transport layer was used for fabricating QD-LEDs. Poly(4-butylphenyl-diphenyl-amine) (poly-TPD) and tris[2,4,6-trimethyl-3-(pyridin-3-yl)phenyl]borane (3TPYMB) molecules were used as hole-transporting and electron-transporting layers, respectively. The emission, current efficiency, and driving characteristics of QD-LEDs with 50, 65 nm thick 3TPYMB layers were investigated. The QD-LED with a 50 nm thick 3TPYMB layer exhibited a maximum current efficiency of 1.3 cd/A.
In this study, we report the doping effect of graphene quantum dots (QDs) in nematic liquid crystal (NLC) system on rubbed polyimide (PI) surface. The good LC alignment and high thermal stability in QD-LC cell system on rubbed PI surfaces can be measured. Also, the low threshold voltage of QD-TN cell was observed about 2.77 V. The fast response time of 13.2 ms for QD-TN cell can be achieved. Finally, the good voltage holding ratio of QD-TN cell on rubbed PI surface was measured.
The water soluble quantum dots (QDs) are synthesized by the phase transfer and silica coating reaction. The photoluminescence intensity of silica-coated QDs are mainly affected by the amount of phase transfer agent, SDS (sodium dodecyl sulfate), and the maximum value is obtained at the cmc (critical micell concentration) concentration of SDS in the phase transfer reaction. Based on fluorescence spectra and field emission transmission electron microscope (FETEM), the energy transfer rate by forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) is increasing with the thickness of the silica shell coated on CdSe/ZnS QDs.
The spherical mesoporous silica is synthesized and incorporated with CdSe/ZnS quantum dots(QDs) for preparing micro beads to detect toxic and bio-materials with high sensitivity. The spherical silica beads with the brunauer-emmett-telle(BET) average pore size of 15 nm were prepared with a ratio 1, 3, 5-trimethylbenzen, as a swelling agent, to the block-copolymer template surfactant of over 1 and under vigorous mixing condition. The surface of spherical mesoporous silica is modified using octadecylsilane for incorporating QDs. Based on photoluminescence(PL) spectra, the relative brightness of mesoporous silica beads incorporated with 10 nM of QDs is 79,000 times brighter than that of Rodamine 6 G.