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Charge transport in strongly coupled quantum dot solids

Nature Nanotechnology volume 10, pages 1013–1026 (2015)Cite this article

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Abstract

The emergence of high-mobility, colloidal semiconductor quantum dot (QD) solids has triggered fundamental studies that map the evolution from carrier hopping through localized quantum-confined states to band-like charge transport in delocalized and hybridized states of strongly coupled QD solids, in analogy with the construction of solids from atoms. Increased coupling in QD solids has led to record-breaking performance in QD devices, such as electronic transistors and circuitry, optoelectronic light-emitting diodes, photovoltaic devices and photodetectors, and thermoelectric devices. Here, we review the advances in synthesis, assembly, ligand treatments and doping that have enabled high-mobility QD solids, as well as the experiments and theory that depict band-like transport in the QD solid state. We also present recent QD devices and discuss future prospects for QD materials and device design.

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Figure 1: Semiconductor QDs.
Figure 2: Spherical QD self-assembly.
Figure 3: Shape-engineered QD self-assembly.
Figure 4: Ligand exchange and stripping to control coupling in QD solids.
Figure 5: Doping QDs and QD solids.
Figure 6: Electrical and optical measurements of high-mobility transport in group II–VI, III–V and IV–VI QD solids.
Figure 7: QD solid devices.

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Acknowledgements

The authors acknowledge the US Department of Energy Office of Basic Energy Sciences, Division of Materials Science and Engineering, under Award No. DE-SC0002158, for primary support of this manuscript.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Electrical and Systems Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Cherie R. Kagan

  2. Department of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Cherie R. Kagan & Christopher B. Murray

  3. Department of Chemistry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 19104, Pennsylvania, USA

    Cherie R. Kagan & Christopher B. Murray

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Correspondence to Cherie R. Kagan or Christopher B. Murray.

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Kagan, C., Murray, C. Charge transport in strongly coupled quantum dot solids. Nature Nanotech 10, 1013–1026 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/nnano.2015.247

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