Structural strategy to enhance the quantum and photocatalytic efficiency of ZnO quantum dots by incorporation of interface states

Transparent and Colorless Luminescent Solar Concentrators Based on ZnO Quantum Dots for Building-Integrated Photovoltaics

“…Figure c shows the O 1s signal deconvoluted in two components centered at 530.14 and 531.80 eV, where the low binding energy peak is attributed to O 2– ions on the wurtzite structure from Zn–O bonding , and the high binding energy peak could be attributed to O 2– ions in defect regions and to hydroxyl groups (O–H), which is in agreement with the FTIR analysis. Figure d shows the Zn 2p spectra with two symmetric peaks centered at 1021.7 and 1044.8 eV, corresponding to the spin–orbit coupling of the Zn 2p 3/2 and Zn 2p 1/2 levels, respectively . The binding energy separation of 23.1 eV between the peaks confirms the state of Zn ions on the wurtzite structure from the ZnO QDs.…”

“…Also, such a large bandgap allows the absorption of ultraviolet light (a region where silicon solar cells perform poorly), while letting the visible light to be transmitted, enabling the fabrication of attractive transparent and colorless LSC devices that could be employed as photovoltaic windows in BIPV technologies. Other advantages of ZnO QDs as lumiphore for LSCs include: their characteristic photoluminescence signal, located in the visible region, which is better suitable for the absorption of conventional silicon solar cells; their ecofriendly synthesis process; − and the ease to obtain nanoparticles with controlled size, shape, and surface properties, giving the opportunity to match the specific requirements of different LSC devices. − In this study, we synthesized luminescent ZnO QDs and fabricated colorless and highly transparent LSCs based on ZnO QDs as lumiphore and poly­(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) as transparent matrix (ZnO-LSC). Also, a combination of optical properties was proposed to obtain an optimal ZnO-LSC-O device.…”

Visible‐light‐driven water‐soluble zinc oxide quantum dots for efficient control of citrus canker

“…[24][25][26] In comparison with conventional-scale ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) show higher plant transport efficiency, 27,28 higher photocatalytic efficiency and higher antibacterial activity. 29,30 ZnO QDs can effectively control plant bacterial diseases, such as bacterial fruit blotch disease, 31 citrus canker disease and citrus huanglongbing disease, 28 mainly by the generation of ROS and the release of Zn 2+ during the binding of ZnO QDs and bacteria. Studies have shown that the antibacterial activity of nanomaterials is closely related to their water dispersibility, with better dispersion being correlated with more significant antibacterial activity.…”

“…As a semiconductor material, ZnO nanoparticles have significant photocatalytic activity and can generate large amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS) under irradiation by visible and ultraviolet (UV) light to efficiently inactivate bacteria 24–26 . In comparison with conventional‐scale ZnO nanoparticles, ZnO quantum dots (ZnO QDs) show higher plant transport efficiency, 27,28 higher photocatalytic efficiency and higher antibacterial activity 29,30 . ZnO QDs can effectively control plant bacterial diseases, such as bacterial fruit blotch disease, 31 citrus canker disease and citrus huanglongbing disease, 28 mainly by the generation of ROS and the release of Zn 2+ during the binding of ZnO QDs and bacteria.…”

Engineering of Multidimensional Core-Shell Perovskite Precursors to Obtain Superior Luminescence and Incorporating in Luminescent Solar Concentrators

“…Capping ZnO NPs with polyvinylpyrrolidone polymer enhances the spectral purity and reduces the quantum efficiency [25]. However, a balanced photocatalytic and quantum efficiency are obtained in silica-encapsulated ZnO QDs [26]. Defect states, Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET), and charge transfer (CT) are the dominant phenomena in the PL quenching of surface-modified ZnO nanoplates [27].…”