Jaehoon Lim

Bright and Efficient Full-Color Colloidal Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Using an Inverted Device Structure

We report highly bright and efficient inverted structure quantum dot (QD) based light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) by using solution-processed ZnO nanoparticles as the electron injection/transport layer and by optimizing energy levels with the organic hole transport layer. We have successfully demonstrated highly bright red, green, and blue QLEDs showing maximum luminances up to 23,040, 218,800, and 2250 cd/m(2), and external quantum efficiencies of 7.3, 5.8, and 1.7%, respectively. It is also noticeable that they showed turn-on voltages as low as the bandgap energy of each QD and long operational lifetime, mainly attributed to the direct exciton recombination within QDs through the inverted device structure. These results signify a remarkable progress in QLEDs and offer a practicable platform for the realization of QD-based full-color displays and lightings.

Controlling the influence of Auger recombination on the performance of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes

Development of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) based on colloidal quantum dots is driven by attractive properties of these fluorophores such as spectrally narrow, tunable emission and facile processibility via solution-based methods. A current obstacle towards improved LED performance is an incomplete understanding of the roles of extrinsic factors, such as non-radiative recombination at surface defects, versus intrinsic processes, such as multicarrier Auger recombination or electron-hole separation due to applied electric field. Here we address this problem with studies that correlate the excited state dynamics of structurally engineered quantum dots with their emissive performance within LEDs. We find that because of significant charging of quantum dots with extra electrons, Auger recombination greatly impacts both LED efficiency and the onset of efficiency roll-off at high currents. Further, we demonstrate two specific approaches for mitigating this problem using heterostructured quantum dots, either by suppressing Auger decay through the introduction of an intermediate alloyed layer, or by using an additional shell that impedes electron transfer into the quantum dot to help balance electron and hole injection.

Multicolored Light-Emitting Diodes Based on All-Quantum-Dot Multilayer Films Using Layer-by-Layer Assembly Method

A systematic analysis of the exciton-recombination zone within all-quantum dot (QD) multilayer films prepared by a layer-by-layer assembly method was made, using sensing QD layers in QD-based light-emitting diodes (QLEDs). Large area practical multicolored colloidal QLEDs were also demonstrated by patterning and placing variously colored QDs (red, orange, yellow-green, and green) in the exciton-recombination zone.

Spectroscopic and Device Aspects of Nanocrystal Quantum Dots

The field of nanocrystal quantum dots (QDs) is already more than 30 years old, and yet continuing interest in these structures is driven by both the fascinating physics emerging from strong quantum confinement of electronic excitations, as well as a large number of prospective applications that could benefit from the tunable properties and amenability toward solution-based processing of these materials. The focus of this review is on recent advances in nanocrystal research related to applications of QD materials in lasing, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), and solar energy conversion. A specific underlying theme is innovative concepts for tuning the properties of QDs beyond what is possible via traditional size manipulation, particularly through heterostructuring. Examples of such advanced control of nanocrystal functionalities include the following: interface engineering for suppressing Auger recombination in the context of QD LEDs and lasers; Stokes-shift engineering for applications in large-area luminescent solar concentrators; and control of intraband relaxation for enhanced carrier multiplication in advanced QD photovoltaics. We examine the considerable recent progress on these multiple fronts of nanocrystal research, which has resulted in the first commercialized QD technologies. These successes explain the continuing appeal of this field to a broad community of scientists and engineers, which in turn ensures even more exciting results to come from future exploration of this fascinating class of materials.

Highly efficient cadmium-free quantum dot light-emitting diodes enabled by the direct formation of excitons within InP@ZnSeS quantum dots.

We demonstrate bright, efficient, and environmentally benign InP quantum dot (QD)-based light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) through the direct charge carrier injection into QDs and the efficient radiative exciton recombination within QDs. The direct exciton formation within QDs is facilitated by an adoption of a solution-processed, thin conjugated polyelectrolyte layer, which reduces the electron injection barrier between cathode and QDs via vacuum level shift and promotes the charge carrier balance within QDs. The efficient radiative recombination of these excitons is enabled in structurally engineered InP@ZnSeS heterostructured QDs, in which excitons in the InP domain are effectively passivated by thick ZnSeS composition-gradient shells. The resulting QLEDs record 3.46% of external quantum efficiency and 3900 cd m(-2) of maximum brightness, which represent 10-fold increase in device efficiency and 5-fold increase in brightness compared with previous reports. We believe that such a comprehensive scheme in designing device architecture and the structural formulation of QDs provides a reasonable guideline for practical realization of environmentally benign, high-performance QLEDs in the future.

Influence of Shell Thickness on the Performance of Light‐Emitting Devices Based on CdSe/Zn1‐XCdXS Core/Shell Heterostructured Quantum Dots

CdSe/Zn1-X CdX S core/shell heterostructured quantum dots (QDs) with varying shell thicknesses are studied as the active material in a series of electroluminescent devices. Giant CdSe/Zn1-X CdX S QDs (e.g., CdSe core radius of 2 nm and Zn1-X CdX S shell thickness of 6.3 nm) demonstrate a high device efficiency (peak EQE = 7.4%) and a record-high brightness (>100 000 cd m(-2) ) of deep-red emission, along with improved device stability.

R/G/B/Natural White Light Thin Colloidal Quantum Dot‐Based Light‐Emitting Devices

Bright, low-voltage driven colloidal quantum dot (QD)-based white light-emitting devices (LEDs) with practicable device performances are enabled by the direct exciton formation within quantum-dot active layers in a hybrid device structure. Detailed device characterization reveals that white-QLEDs can be rationalized as a parallel circuit, in which different QDs are connected through the same set of electrically common organic and inorganic charge transport layers.

Perspective on synthesis, device structures, and printing processes for quantum dot displays

Quantum dot-based light emitting diodes have extensively been investigated over the past two decades in order to utilize high color purity and photophysical stability of quantum dots. In this review, progresses on the preparation of quantum dots, structural design of electroluminescence devices using quantum dots, and printing processes for full-color quantum dot display will be discussed. The obstacles originating from the use of heavy metals, large hole injection barrier, and imperfect printing processes for pixilation have limited the practical applications of quantum dot-based devices. It is expected that recent complementary approaches on materials, device structures, and new printing processes would accelerate the realization of quantum dot displays.

Characterization of Quantum Dot/Conducting Polymer Hybrid Films and Their Application in Light-Emitting Diodes

Quantum dot/conducting polymer hybrid films are used to prepare light-emitting diodes (LEDs). The hybrid films (CdSe@ZnS quantum dots excellently dispersed in a conducting polymer matrix, see figure) are readily prepared by various solution-based processes and are also easily micropatterned. The LEDs exhibit a turn-on voltage of 4u2009V, an external quantum efficiency greater than 1.5%, and almost pure-green quantum-dot electroluminescence.

Deep blue light-emitting diodes based on Cd1−xZnxS@ZnS quantum dots

We demonstrate deep blue light-emitting diodes based on chemically synthesized Cd(1-x)Zn(x) S @ ZnS quantum dots (QDs). Composite films of poly-(N,N-bis(4-butylphenyl)-N,N-bis(phenyl)benzidine) (poly-TPD) and 4,4,N,N-diphenylcarbazole (CBP) are employed for facilitated hole injection into Cd(1-x)Zn(x) S @ ZnS QDs and uniform QD deposition. The fabricated devices possess moderate turn-on voltage (6 V) and external quantum efficiency (0.1-0.3%), and exhibit color-saturated blue emission with a narrow spectral bandwidth of full width at half maximum <25 nm (Commission Internationale de lEclairage (CIE) coordinates of (0.169, 0.024) and (0.156, 0.028) for devices with electroluminescence (EL) lambda(max) at 434 and 454 nm, respectively). Most of the emission originates from the Cd(1-x)Zn(x) S @ ZnS QD layers (99% of the total EL emission).