Perovskite Quantum Dots (PQDs)
Perovskites are materials that share a crystal structure similar to the mineral called perovskite, which consists of calcium titanium oxide (CaTiO3).
Depending on which atoms/molecules are used in the structure, perovskites can possess an impressive array of interesting properties including superconductivity, ferroelectricity, charge ordering, spin dependent transport and much more. Perovskites therefore hold exciting opportunities for physicists, chemists and material scientists.
Quantum dots (QDs), sometimes referred to as semiconducting nanocrystals (NCs), are miniscule particles of a semiconducting material with diameters in the range of 2-10 nanometers (10-50 atoms). Quantum dots have properties labeled as intermediate between bulk semiconductors and discrete atoms or molecules. Their optoelectronic properties change as a function of both size and shape. QDs demonstrate optical and electronic properties different from those of larger particles. In fact, QDs tend to exhibit quantum size effects in their optical and electronic properties, like tunable and efficient photoluminescence (PL), with narrow emission and photochemical stability. This is why QDs have been incorporated as active elements in a wide variety of devices and applications, some of which are already commercially available, such as QD-based displays.
Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are a class of quantum dots based on perovskite materials. While these are relatively new, they have already been shown to have properties matching or surpassing those of the metal chalcogenide QDs: they are more tolerant to defects and have excellent photoluminescence quantum yields and high colour purity. Such attractive properties are extremely suited for electronic and optoelectronic applications and so perovskite quantum dots have significant potential for real world applications, some of which are already emerging, including LED displays and quantum dot solar cells.
Powering Tomorrow: Solaveni's CEO Discusses Breakthroughs in Green Perovskite Materials
When it comes to innovation in advanced materials, Solaveni GmbH stands out as a company with a bold mission. Founded in 2021 as a subsidiary of Saule Technologies, Solaveni was created with a vision to revolutionize the world of perovskite-based materials by focusing on sustainable chemistry and environmental responsibility. Today, the company is carving out a space in fields like printed electronics, energy harvesting, storage, and solid-state lighting, all while ensuring its processes remain green and future-ready.
At the heart of Solaveni’s journey is its CEO, Dr. Senol Öz, whose expertise and passion for perovskite technology have been key to the company’s progress. Senol’s career spans over a decade of research and hands-on experience in solution-processing and chemical engineering of perovskite solar cells. From his doctoral work in Germany, to his postdoctoral research in Japan, and eventually joining Saule Technologies, his path has been defined by a deep commitment to advancing perovskite materials.
We had the opportunity to sit down with Senol for an insightful Q&A, where he shared his thoughts on Solaveni’s vision, the challenges of perovskite technology, and the future of sustainable material production. Let’s dive into the conversation!
Solaveni was established in 2021 as a subsidiary of Saule Technologies, one of the pioneers in the perovskite solar industry. Why did Saule decide to establish a materials subsidiary?
Saule Technologies, a trailblazer in the perovskite solar industry, founded Solaveni in 2021 to address the burgeoning demand for high-quality, innovative materials critical to advancing solar technology. The establishment of Solaveni reflects Saule’s strategic vision to enhance and diversify its capabilities within the renewable energy sector. By creating a specialized subsidiary, Saule aims to streamline the development and production of materials relevant for the perovskite ecosystem, ensuring consistent quality and fostering innovation.
We interview Sofab Inks' CEO & COO, discussing the company's materials, business, and industry outlook
Sofab Inks develops and produces advanced materials for perovskite solar cells. The company's flagship product is a solvent-based tin oxide ETL that has already seen promising results in improving the performance and lifespan of perovskite solar cells. We interviewed the company's CEO Blake Martin and COO Jack Manzella, who help us understand the company's materials and business better. Click here to contact Sofab Inks to learn more or request a material sample.
Hello Blake and Jack. Earlier this year, Sofab Inks launched Tinfab, a high-performance and low-cost ETL material for perovskite solar cells. Can you detail the market reaction for your new material, and also the performance benefits that one can expect from this new ETL?
Since launching Tinfab, we’ve experienced significant interest across the industry, with approximately 40 companies and universities currently testing the material in perovskite solar cell applications. This strong engagement underscores the market's demand for innovative, scalable ETL solutions.
Tinfab is designed to fully replace C60/fullerenes in perovskite solar cells, addressing key limitations of C60, including lower stability, higher costs, and the complexity of vacuum deposition. Unlike C60, Tinfab can be solution-deposited in ambient environments, making it far more suitable for scalable manufacturing.
Avantama to sell its perovskie QD IP portfolio
Switzerland-based Avantama, a leader in high-tech materials for electronics, has brought its perovskite QD (pQD) technology to “market-ready” level. Avantama's CEO, Dr. Samuel Halim states that reliability (as QD film) was confirmed by leading display supply chain partners, the pQD production has been established in-house and the pQD film production has been established at a leading Asian film maker.
Now, as part of a move to bring Avantama’s pQD market-ready technology into the hands of a company with market and customer access, Ocean Tomo Transactions (a part of J.S. Held) will be representing Avantama in the sale of its pQD IP portfolio and related know-how and manufacturing assets.
New ligand exchange process enables improved perovskite quantum dots for efficient and stable solar cells
Researchers from Korea's Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Gyeongsang National University (GNU) and Kookmin University have developed a method to improve both the performance and the stability of solar cells using perovskite quantum dots. They developed longer-lasting solar cells by addressing the issue of distortions on the surface of quantum dots, which deteriorate the performance of solar cells.
A schematic diagram of bilateral ligand bonding on the surface of perovskite quantum dots. Image credit: Chemical Engineering Journal
Perovskite quantum dots can have excellent light-to-electricity conversion capabilities and are easy to mass-produce. However, according to the research team, in order to utilize them in solar cells, the ligands attached to the quantum dot surface must be replaced. This process often leads to distortions of the quantum dot surface, resembling crumpled paper, which results in decreased performance and shorter lifespans for the solar cells. To address this issue, the team adopted short ligands that securely hold the quantum dots from both sides, effectively uncrumpling the distorted surface. The ligands help restore the distorted lattice structure, smoothing the crumpled surface of the quantum dots. This significantly reduces surface defects, enabling the solar cells to operate more efficiently and extending their lifespan. Consequently, the power conversion efficiency of the solar cells increased from 13.6% to 15.3%, demonstrating stability by maintaining 83% of their performance for 15 days.
Decoupling of colloidal perovskite QDs could enable efficient deep-blue LEDs
Metal halide perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) that emit deep-blue color with high efficiency have not yet been fully achieved and become more difficult in the thin film of confined perovskite colloidal quantum dots (PeQDs) due to particle interaction. Recently, researchers from Seoul National University and University of Toronto demonstrated that electronic coupling and energy transfer in PeQDs induce redshift in the emission by PeQD film, and consequently hinder deep-blue emission.
Scheme illustrating QD-QD interaction related to emission spectrum shifts in the A) QD-only film and B) QD-mCP solid solution. Image credit: Advanced Materials
To achieve deep-blue emission by avoiding electronic coupling and energy transfer, a QD-in-organic solid solution was introduced, to physically separate the QDs in the film. This physical separation of QDs reduces the interaction between them yielding a blueshift of ≈7 nm in the emission spectrum.
Perovskite-Info launches a new edition of its Perovskite for Displays Market Report
Perovskite-Info is proud to announce an update to our Perovskite for the Display Industry Market Report. This market report, brought to you by the world's leading perovskite and OLED industry experts, is a comprehensive guide to next-generation perovskite-based solutions for the display industry that enable efficient, low cost and high-quality display devices. The report is now updated to July 2024, with all the latest commercial and research activity - including 9 new research papers, new company, new brochures, and commercial updates and more!
Reading this report, you'll learn all about:
- Perovskite materials and their properties
- Perovskite applications in the display industry
- Perovskite QDs for color conversion
- Prominent perovskite display related research activities
The report also provides a list of perovskite display companies, datasheets and brochures of pQD film solutions, an introduction to perovskite materials and processes, an introduction to emerging display technologies and more.
Helio and Haylo Ventures to target micro displays with perovskite platform
A few months ago, Helio Display Materials, a developer of perovskite-based color conversion materials for displays, announced that it entered into a strategic partnership with Haylo Ventures, a venture operator specializing in accelerating the commercialization of deep tech.
This collaboration targets micro displays for AR/VR headsets, signifying a pivotal shift in Helio's strategic direction.
Researchers develop high-efficiency pure red light-emitting diodes through surface modification of perovskite QDs
Researchers from Korea's Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST) and Institute for Basic Science (IBS) recently developed high-performance, skin-attachable perovskite pure red light-emitting devices to create various forms of wearable displays.
The team developed these devices through selective surface modification of perovskite quantum dots, expecting their future use in diverse wearable products. As traditional red perovskite materials were unsuitable for high-performance wearable displays due to their low stability and electrical properties, the research team created pure red light-emitting devices through the simple surface modification of the perovskite light-emitting layers, thus significantly improving their stability and electrical properties.
Researchers achieve 3D printing of luminescent perovskite quantum dot–polymer architectures
Researchers from Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Korea Electrotechnology Research Institute (KERI) and Sungkyunkwan University (SKKU) recently developed a straightforward and effective method for producing 3D architectures of perovskite quantum dot (PQD)-encapsulated high-performance composites (PQD-HPCs) through direct-ink writing (DIW).
Schematic of the direct-ink writing (DIW) approach of luminescent PQD–polymer architectures. Image from Advanced Functional Materials
Led by Professor Im Doo Jung from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at UNIST, the recent study introduced a cutting-edge one-stop perovskite quantum dot (PQD) additive manufacturing technology. This approach eliminates the need for heat treatment, allowing for the creation of complex 3D shapes with exceptional precision, including iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower.
Researchers create all-inorganic perovskite nanocrystalline glass doped with rare-earth ions
Researchers from China's Kunming University of Science and Technology and Southwest United Graduate School have doped rare-earth ions into borosilicate glass for the first time to induce the self-crystallization of CsPbBr3 QDs.
All-inorganic perovskite quantum dots (QDs) in glass materials, specifically CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I), have potential as next-generation fluorescent materials due to their impressive luminous performance and stability. However, the crystallization process of quantum dots within the glass presents a challenge, leading to uneven crystallinity and subsequent reductions in light efficiency, thereby affecting practical applications. In glass ceramics doped with rare-earth oxides, the introduction of rare-earth ions as nucleating agents can promote the self-precipitation of nanocrystalline crystals within the glass.
