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Ordered Superparticles with an Enhanced Photoelectric Effect by Sub‐Nanometer Interparticle Distance
Author(s) -
Luo Dan,
Qin Xiaoyun,
Song Qian,
Qiao Xuezhi,
Zhang Zhen,
Xue Zhenjie,
Liu Cong,
Mo Guang,
Wang Tie
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
advanced functional materials
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 6.069
H-Index - 322
eISSN - 1616-3028
pISSN - 1616-301X
DOI - 10.1002/adfm.201701982
Subject(s) - materials science , delocalized electron , quantum dot , nanocrystal , nanoparticle , exciton , photoelectric effect , nanowire , electron transfer , nanotechnology , chemical physics , superlattice , self assembly , electronic structure , optoelectronics , condensed matter physics , photochemistry , physics , chemistry , quantum mechanics
Abstract As the development in self‐assembly of nanoparticles, a main question is directed to whether the supercrystalline structure can facilitate generation of collective properties, such as coupling between adjacent nanocrystals or delocalization of exciton to achieve band‐like electronic transport in a 3D assembly. The nanocrystal surfaces are generally passivated by insulating organic ligands, which block electronic communication of neighboring building blocks in nanoparticle assemblies. Ligand removal or exchange is an operable strategy for promoting electron transfer, but usually changes the surface states, resulting in performance alteration or uncontrollable aggregation. Here, 3D, supercompact superparticles with well‐defined superlattice domains through a thermally controlled emulsion‐based self‐assembly method is fabricated. The interparticle spacing in the superparticles shrinks to ≈0.3 nm because organic ligands lie prone on the nanoparticle surface, which are sufficient to overcome the electron transfer barrier. The ordered and compressed superstructures promote coupling and electronic energy transfer between CdSSe quantum dots (QDs). Therefore, the acquired QD superparticles exhibit different optical properties and enhanced photoelectric activity compared to individual QDs.