Lasing from colloidal InP/ZnS quantum dots.

High-quality InP/ZnS core-shell nanocrystal quantum dots (NQDs) were synthesized as a heavy-metal-free alternative to the gain media of cadmium-based colloidal nanoparticles. Upon UV excitation, amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) and optical gain were observed, for the first time, in close-packed InP/ZnS core-shell NQDs. The ASE wavelength can be selected by tailoring the nanocrystal size over a broad range of the spectrum.

Employing heavy metal-free colloidal quantum dots in solution-processed white light-emitting diodes.

We report in this communication the design and fabrication of solution-processed white light-emitting diodes (LEDs) containing a bilayer of heavy metal-free colloidal quantum dots (QDs) and polymer in the device active region. White electroluminescence was obtained in the LEDs by mixing the red emission of ZnCuInS/ZnS core/shell QDs and the blue-green emission of poly(N,N'-bis(4-butylphenyl)-N,N'-bis(phenyl)benzidine). A high color rendering index of 92 was achieved as compared to a 5310 K blackbody reference by virtue of broadband emission of the QDs.