Core/Shell Quantum Dots in Optoelectronic Applications
Summary
Core/shell quantum dots represent a class of semiconductor nanocrystals in which a core material is overcoated by a shell of a wider-band-gap semiconductor. This heterostructuring serves to passivate surface defects, tailor band alignments and enhance photoluminescence efficiency, stability and charge-carrier dynamics. In optoelectronic applications, core/shell architectures have been exploited across a spectrum of devices including light-emitting diodes, lasers and photoelectrochemical cells for solar-driven fuel generation. By judicious choice of core and shell compositions, researchers achieve type-I band alignment to confine excitons for high-brightness emission, or type-II alignment to spatially separate electrons and holes for prolonged carrier lifetimes and efficient charge extraction. Recent advances have focused on eco-friendly compositions, interfacial engineering and elemental incorporation strategies that deliver both enhanced performance and environmental compatibility. Such developments underline the global significance of core/shell quantum dots for next-generation sustainable optoelectronic technologies.
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Core/Shell Quantum Dots in Optoelectronic Applications publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in core/shell quantum dots in optoelectronic applications across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Core/shell quantum dots: Semiconductor nanocrystals with a core material encapsulated by a shell of a different semiconductor, engineered to improve optical and electronic properties.
Type-I/Type-II heterostructure: Classification of band alignment in core/shell systems; type-I confines both electrons and holes in the core, while type-II separates charge carriers across core and shell to reduce recombination.
Photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY): The ratio of emitted photons to absorbed photons in a luminescent material, indicating emission efficiency.
Exciton: A bound state of an electron and a hole within a semiconductor that can transport energy without net charge movement.
Photoelectrochemical (PEC) cell: A device that converts light energy into chemical energy, typically by driving water-splitting reactions on a semiconductor electrode under illumination.
References
- Simultaneous copper incorporation in core/shell-structured eco-friendly quantum dots for high-efficiency photoelectrochemical hydrogen evolution. Nano Energy (2024).
- Tailoring the optoelectronic properties of eco‐friendly CuGaS2/ZnSe core/shell quantum dots for boosted photoelectrochemical solar hydrogen production. EcoMat (2022).
- Engineering the Interfacial Structure of Heavy Metal‐Free Colloidal Heterostructured Quantum Dots for High‐Efficiency Photoelectrochemical Water Oxidation without Co‐Catalyst. Advanced Energy and Sustainability Research (2022).
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