Recent Advances in Zinc‐Containing Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals for Optoelectronic and Energy Conversion Applications

Abstract

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (NCs), especially cadmium (Cd)‐ and lead (Pb)‐containing ones, have been proved to be the promising materials for photoelectronic energy conversion applications. However, the high toxicity and cost of these materials restrict their widespread use. Zinc (Zn)‐containing colloidal semiconductor NCs are non‐/less toxic and environmentally friendly materials, manifesting in stimulating optical and electronic properties with relevance to a broad scope of applications including light‐emitting diodes (LEDs), sensors, photocatalysts, and more. In this Review, we elaborate on the shape control of Zn‐containing colloidal semiconductor NCs achieved by a variety of wet‐chemical synthetic approaches. Moreover, the formation of core‐shell, doped, and hybrid structures based on Zn‐containing colloidal semiconductor NCs allow for the optimization of their functionalities, which underpin stimulating photoelectronic energy conversion applications in quantum‐dot LEDs (QLEDs), photodetectors, and photocatalysis. Zn‐containing colloidal semiconductor NCs that combine the green chemistry with sustainable developments possess a bright future.

Dominant Polar Surfaces of Colloidal II–VI Wurtzite Semiconductor Nanocrystals Enabled by Cation Exchange

“…This value is slightly larger than the band gap of the bulk wurtzite ZnS (317 nm, 3.91 eV) 44 due to the quantum confinement of carriers in ZnS hexagonal nanoplates. These results are consistent with the color change of solutions from brownish (Cu2-xS) to colorless (ZnS) depicted in the photographs in Figure 1a.…”

A Bifunctional 2D Interlayered β‐Cu2V2O7/Zn2V2O6 (CZVO) Heterojunction for Solar‐Driven Nonsacrificial Dye Degradation and Water Oxidation

“…More importantly, the presence of copper atoms within the optimized sample certainly impacted the electrochemical performance of CZVO photoanode, [59] whereas zinc contributes towards the semiconducting behavior of CZVO-opt. [60] It could be assumed that the photoinduced electrons in the conduction band (CB) of ZVO are injected to CVO via the Zn─O─Cu bonds. As a result, the CVO acts as a charge/electron collector.…”

The Role of Polyhedral Oligomeric Silsesquioxanes in Optical Applications

“…[ 41,113–115 ] However, recently, focus has shifted to the use of POSS with inorganic nanocrystals, which have shown tremendous potential as highly emissive, color pure materials for solid‐state LEDs. [ 116,117 ] Similar to their thin‐film counterparts used in PV, perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) show poor stability in the presence of water, though all‐inorganic PNCs (CsPbX 3 , where X is typically I or Br) show increased moisture resistance; [ 118 ] however, this is still not sufficient for use in long‐lasting LEDs. There have been attempts to increase PNC stability through organic ligand exchange, [ 119 ] although coating the nanocrystals with POSS potentially presents a facile method to achieve the same goal.…”