Leeann Kim

Contact Printing of Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Devices

We demonstrate a solvent-free contact printing process for deposition of patterned and unpatterned colloidal quantum dot (QD) thin films as the electroluminescent layers within hybrid organic-QD light-emitting devices (QD-LEDs). Our method benefits from the simplicity, low cost, and high throughput of solution-processing methods, while eliminating exposure of device structures to solvents. Because the charge transport layers in hybrid organic/inorganic QD-LEDs consist of solvent-sensitive organic thin films, the ability to avoid solvent exposure during device growth, as presented in this study, provides a new flexibility in choosing organic materials for improved device performance. In addition, our method allows us to fabricate both monochrome and red-green-blue patterned electroluminescent structures with 25 microm critical dimension, corresponding to 1000 ppi (pixels-per-inch) print resolution.

Method for fabrication of saturated RGB quantum dot light emitting devices

Creation of patterned, efficient, and saturated color hybrid organic/inorganic quantum dot light emitting devices (QD-LEDs) is dependent on development of integrated fabrication and patterning methods for the QD layer. We show that micro-contact printing can be applied to QD deposition, generating micron-scale pattern definition, needed in pixilated-display applications. We demonstrate saturated color QD-LEDs with external quantum efficiencies in excess of 1%. Combining this technique with the use of wide optical band gap host materials, and a new synthetic route for the creation of blue emitting (CdS)ZnS nanocrystals, it is now possible to fabricate QD-LEDs with saturated color emission in the red, green and blue regions of the spectrum.