Synthetic hybrid particles to improve the down-conversion efficiency of quantum dots via simultaneously induced scattering and plasmonic effects

Abstract

Quantum dots (QDs) are promising color-conversion materials for various display applications owing to their high color purity, wavelength tunability, and high quantum yield. However, the self-quenching of QDs and internal reflection in the QD film reduce the external quantum efficiency, thereby hindering the applicability of the QD film. In this study, we propose a strategy to enhance the QD photoluminescence (PL) using hybrid particles, in which both scattering particles and plasmonic nanoparticles (NPs) are integrated. Using a facile synthetic route, we fabricated dielectric SiO2 microspheres decorated with plasmonic Ag NPs, and QDs were subsequently attached to the microsphere surface. The synthesized hybrid particles were embedded in a polymer matrix as down-conversion films. The proposed QD-embedded film exhibited up to a threefold improvement in the QDPL compared to the reference film. Along with the prominent down-conversion characteristics, the multifunctionality of our synthesized hybrid particles, such as flexibility, color tunability, and patternability, paves the way for wearable devices in a variety of practical applications.