A analysis staff at Pohang College of Science and Expertise has developed a technique for the uniform and environment friendly synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals, a next-generation semiconductor materials. The examine was revealed in ACS Nano.
Picture Credit score: Pohang College of Science and Expertise
This examine represents a step towards addressing the constraints of conventional synthesis strategies and accelerating the commercialization of optoelectronic gadgets equivalent to photo voltaic cells and light-emitting diodes.
The analysis was carried out by Professors Younger-Ki Kim and Yong-Younger Noh of the Division of Chemical Engineering at Pohang College of Science and Expertise (POSTECH), Ph.D. candidate Jun-Hyung Im, Dr. Myeonggeun Han of Samsung Electronics, and Dr. Jisoo Hong of Princeton College.
The quantum confinement impact permits exact management of particle dimension and form, making perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) appropriate for purposes in next-generation photo voltaic cells and high-efficiency shows.
Nonetheless, typical PNC synthesis methods, equivalent to hot-injection and ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP), require excessive temperatures and complicated experimental setups, limiting their capacity to supply uniformly sized and formed particles. Consequently, extra processing steps are wanted to attain the specified properties, lowering productiveness and limiting industrial purposes.
The POSTECH analysis staff developed a synthesis methodology that includes liquid crystal (LC) as an antisolvent within the LARP course of to attain exact management over PNC dimension and form. LC is an intermediate part of matter that displays molecular ordering much like crystals whereas sustaining the fluidity of liquids.
Through the LC part, molecules align in a most popular orientation, resulting in elasticity. When an exterior drive is utilized to an LC medium, the molecules endure reorientation, producing vital elastic pressure.
By changing the antisolvent within the LARP methodology with LC whereas sustaining different synthesis situations, the researchers may regulate PNC progress. When the PNCs reached the extrapolation size (ξ) of LCs, their progress was constrained by the elastic strains of the LC molecules. This method allowed for the mass manufacturing of uniformly sized PNCs with out extra purification steps.
The examine additionally discovered that interactions between surface-binding ligands and LC molecules are important in lowering floor defects. The rod-like construction of LC molecules facilitates the dense association of ligands between them. Consequently, ligands bind extra tightly to the PNC floor throughout nanocrystal formation, minimizing floor imperfections and enhancing luminescence properties.
The synthesis methodology developed by our analysis staff is very suitable with present synthesis methods, equivalent to ligand alternate and microfluidic synthesis, and can improve the efficiency of assorted optoelectronic gadgets, together with LEDs, photo voltaic cells, lasers, and photodetectors. This expertise permits the large-scale manufacturing of uniform, high-performance nanocrystals at room temperature, and we anticipate it is going to assist speed up the commercialization of nanocrystal-based optoelectronic gadgets.
Younger-Ki Kim, Professor, Pohang College of Science and Expertise
The Primary Analysis Program (Hanwoomul-Phagi Primary Analysis) and the Pioneer Program for Promising Future Convergence Expertise of the Nationwide Analysis Basis of Korea (NRF) funded the examine.
Journal Reference:
Im, J.-H., et al. (2025) Managed Synthesis of Perovskite Nanocrystals at Room Temperature by Liquid Crystalline Templates. ACS Nano. doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.4c13217.
