Themed collection Advanced semiconductor nanocrystals

Laser diodes based on solution-processed semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) present an economical and color-tunable alternative to traditional epitaxial lasers.

Ten negative differential resistances (NDRs) were demonstrated in the output characteristics of molecularly-anchored single PbS quantum dot resonant tunneling transistors, which utilized heteroepitaxial spherical Au/Pt nanogap electrodes.

The first colloidal synthesis of tungsten oxide nanocrystals doped with large organic cations is presented. The colloids show strong plasmonic properties in the near infrared.

This work introduces a novel design combining carbide (Fe₃C) and chalcogenide (Co₃Te₄) materials for robust catalytic mechanisms in water electrolysis, ensuring high performance and durability for hydrogen production.

A novel synthesis to produce CdSe nanoplatelets in a flow reactor is introduced. Furthermore, the connection between CdSe magic-size clusters and the growth of these anisotropic nanoplatelets is investigated.

Colloidal BaTiO₃ nanoparticles were synthesized, ligand exchanged with oxalic acid to make an ink, and their properties explored for piezoelectrics.

An S-scheme ZnIn₂S₄/MoS₂ heterostructure is designed. Transient absorption spectroscopy reveals the interfacial electron transfer from ZnIn₂S₄ to MoS₂, which facilitates the photocatalytic hydrogen production rate for the heterostructure.

Hot electrons from Sn populates Pb trap states in CsPb_1−xSn_xBr₃ QDs, promoting exciton radiative recombination as shown by the suppression of GRAY levels in Photoblinking.

We developed a Cu-based electrocatalyst from pig manure-derived biochar for efficient CO₂ reduction, achieving 87.14% faradaic efficiency and 44.80% multicarbon product selectivity.

Determination of the absolute band edges and Fermi level positions by monitoring electrochemically induced IR absorption changes of EDT cross-linked PbS quantum dot films. IHO substrates provide optical transmittance and electrical conductivity.

A microwave-assisted synthesis of water-dispersible core/shell Cu–In–Zn–Se/ZnS QDs and their potential as absorbers for QDSSCs.

Using ultrafast PL is more suitable than TA for determining carrier temperatures of colloidal nanocrystals.

Zn_0.5Cd_0.5Se QD-integrated MOF-derived C/N–CeO₂ photocatalyst for enhanced H₂O₂ production and O₂ evolution reactions exhibited hierarchy and the desired multi-functionality of a MOF-derived C/N–CeO₂ system. Part of the artwork reproduced with permission from Elsevier, 2021.

Colloidal synthesis of InP nanowires is reported using aminophosphine and weakly-bound indium-ligand complexes, producing nanoribbons and nanowires. The aminophosphine is proposed to reduce indium for self-seeded solution–liquid–solid growth.

This research involved synthesizing a novel Z-scheme PANI/GO/α-Fe₂O₃ ternary heterostructure and exploring its potential for degrading organic pollutants under visible light.

A variety of ZnCdS-based semiconductor nanoparticle heterostructures with extended exciton lifetimes were synthesized to enhance the efficacy of photocatalytic hydrogen production in water.

Optoelectronic properties of atomically-thin MoS₂ flakes are modulated using photochromic diarylethene molecules. The layer-number-dependent charge transfer behaviors at the hybrid heterointerface are elucidated.

A large enhancement of the effective refractive index experienced by Raman photons is demonstrated in a scattering medium comprising spatially-correlated photonic structures of core–shell TiO2@Silica scatterers plus silica NPs suspended in ethanol.

The metal-to-insulator phase transition in 2D materials has revealed interesting electronic behavior and the need for a deeper understanding of electronic transport processes while attracting interest in developing next-generation electronic devices.

Charge carrier recombination on a Pt cocatalyst was demonstrated using pico–nano and nano–micro second transient absorption spectroscopy.

Colloidal anisotropic Cu–Zn–In–Se-based nanocrystals synthesized in a one-pot seed-mediated approach exhibit an intensive narrow photoluminescence with maxima ranging from 1080 nm to 1220 nm and quantum yields reaching 40%.

In this work the authors combined in-solution ligand exchange with an electrically driven film deposition technique to produce conformal PbSe quantum dot films on non-flat substrates in a single step without the need for post deposition processing.

The formation of CsPbBr₃ NW via the solution–solid–solid. At elevated temperatures, the ME catalyst undergoes a phase transition, facilitating the diffusion of reactants and the subsequent precipitation of solid CsPbBr₃ nanowires.

Fluorescence correlation spectroscopy reveals how surface charge affects protein adsorption on nanocages.

We used a computational method based on ab initio (constrained) density functional theory to obtain the photoluminescence spectrum of graphene quantum dots with up to 240 carbon atoms, including the effect of multiphonons.

The emissive material, consisting of blue-emitting CdSe colloidal nanoplatelets, and the organic charge injection layers were optimized using design of experiments, to produce a solution-processed blue light-emitting diode.

Interface-engineered semiconductor quantum dots finally have it all – near-ideal photoluminescence efficiency and wide tunability without self-absorption.

Heterojunction-structured ZnO–ZnS composites with sulfur vacancies have been developed for efficient piezocatalytic H₂ production.

Water-assisted, growth-controlled synthesis of CsPb₂Br₅ microcrystals for fast responsive UV-detectors.

The interaction between CO and Pb²⁺ regulated grain growth, enhanced crystallinity that effectively passivated non-radiative recombination centres and CF₃ group stabilizes the perovskite structure by interacting with FA and Pb cationic defects.

CsPbBr₃@PdSe nanowires were prepared by a one-pot solution process and demonstrated excellent humidity stability. Approximately 95% of their PL intensity was retained after 30 days’ exposure to air.

We demonstrate selective photocatalytic synthesis of hydrobenzoin via the C–C coupling of benzyl alcohol using Pt/CdS nanosheets.