Electrochemically-stable ligands bridge the photoluminescence-electroluminescence gap of quantum dots.

ABSTRACT: Colloidal quantum dots are promising emitters for quantum-dot-based light-emitting-diodes. Though quantum dots have been synthesized with efficient, stable, and high colour-purity photoluminescence, inheriting their superior luminescent properties in light-emitting-diodes remains challenging. This is commonly attributed to unbalanced charge injection and/or interfacial exciton quenching in the devices. Here, a general but previously overlooked degradation channel in light-emitting-diodes, i.e., operando electrochemical reactions of surface ligands with injected charge carriers, is identified. We develop a strategy of applying electrochemically-inert ligands to quantum dots with excellent luminescent properties to bridge their photoluminescence-electroluminescence gap. This material-design principle is general for boosting electroluminescence efficiency and lifetime of the light-emitting-diodes, resulting in record-long operational lifetimes for both red-emitting light-emitting-diodes (T95?>?3800?h at 1000?cd?m-2) and blue-emitting light-emitting-diodes (T50?>?10,000?h at 100?cd?m-2). Our study provides a critical guideline for the quantum dots to be used in optoelectronic and electronic devices.

SUBMITTER: Pu C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7028909 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature