Colloidal Quantum Shells for Optoelectronic Applications

We will discuss a novel class of low-dimensional semiconductors, called colloidal semiconductor quantum shells (QSs). These nanomaterials exhibit strong suppression of Auger recombination, which is critical for improving the stability and efficiency of nanocrystal optoelectronic devices. Our comparative analysis will focus on the distinctive benefits of QSs and will extend to their roles as optical gain media, X-ray scintillators, and light upconversion materials for both visible and infrared spectral domains. Furthermore, we will investigate the feasibility of fabricating QSs using non-toxic, readily available semiconductor materials, paving the way for their integration into "printable" electronics. We will demonstrate that quantum shells effectively mitigate two primary mechanisms of non-radiative decay in colloidal nanocrystals: surface recombination and Auger recombination, which makes them a promising nanocrystal morphology for applications utilizing intense optical or electrical excitations.