Chiral Induced Spin Selectivity During Triplet Transfer Between Nanocrystals and Molecules

In this talk, I will discuss our efforts to use a hybrid organic-inorganic platform consisting of nanocrystals functionalized with dye molecules to produce circularly polarized luminescence. Over the past 5 years, we have experimentally shown that triplet excitons can be efficiently transferred between photoexcited quantum dots and surface-bound conjugated organic molecules. The idea is to harness the phosphorescence or photoluminescence from chiral ligands that are electronically excited by energy transfer from quantum dots. Excitons in these quantum dots can photogenerated or electrically pumped, depending on the device architecture. Starting with photoexcited CdS QDs functionalized with chiral naphthalene ligands, we quantify chiral induced spin selectivity using steady-state and time resolved circular dichroism/ circularly polarized emission. Ultimately, the goal of this research is a solution processed, optoelectronic thin film that electrically generates chiral emission.