Performance boost in QLEDs using octanethiol-capped core/shell/shell quantum dots

Abstract Quantum dots attract significant attention as one of the most promising colloidal nanocrystals with unique optical properties and potential applications for the next generation of display technology. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of CdZnSeS-based alloyed-shell quantum dots (QDs) for electroluminescence devices upon additional shell growth and ligand exchange. This includes core/shell (C/S) and core/shell/shell (C/S/S) QDs, whose latter includes an additional ZnS shell and octanethiol (OT) ligands. We present detailed characterizations of QDs using transmission electron microscopy, XRD, and various spectroscopic techniques and demonstrate their QD light emitting (QLEDs). We find the photoluminescence quantum yield of C/S/S QDs increased from 68.8% to 88.7% compared to C/S QDs whereas the emission linewidth narrows from 22.2 nm to 20.8 nm. QLEDs fabricated with C/S/S QDs exhibit a higher peak external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 4.1% and maximum luminance of 85 000 cd m ⁻² , compared to 2.3% EQE and 67 000 cd m ⁻² for C/S QLEDs. In this respect, the OT-assisted shell growth significantly improves the optical property of QDs and performance of QLEDs, likely attributed to the enhanced charge balance and increased radiative recombination rate.