Development of synthetic methods for well-defined nanostructures has introduced new approaches for engineering functional materials. Single- and multicomponent nanocrystal arrays provide a powerful general platform for designing �programmable� solids with tailored electronic, magnetic, optical and catalytic properties.We have designed different approaches to engineer nanocrystal structure and surface chemistry for various applications. We particularly focus on the role of surface engineering for electronic properties of nanocrystal arrays. Efficient charge transport is critical for many nanocrystal-based electronic and optoelectronic devices. We developed inorganic chalcogenidometalate surface ligands that enabled record electron mobility in nanocrystal arrays. New all-inorganic colloidal nanocrystals have been used to make solution processed field-effect transistors with electron mobility over 500 cm2/Vs, thermoelectric materials with ZT>1.2 and solar cells with the power conversion efficiency 12%. Nano-heterostructures with electronic structure of quantum wells show prospects for solution-processed lasers, significantly outperforming quantum dots in the amplified spontaneous emission threshold. All these examples demonstrate impressive potential of colloidal nanostructures for real-world technologies and applications.

When nanocrystals work as a team: Collective properties of nanocrystal solids

248th National Meeting (2014)

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