My research involves the design, fabrication, and optimization of quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) for next-generation lighting and displays. As lighting accounts for 15% of global electricity consumption, advances in the energy efficiencies of lighting technologies would be a significant step towards reducing our global energy footprint. Mechanistic understandings of the excited state dynamics in quantum dots for QLEDs will also enable simultaneous advancements in quantum dot photovoltaic devices for more efficient solar cells. The first aspect of my work involves the synthesis of perovskite quantum dots with carefully controlled synthetic parameters and post-synthetic treatments for the growth of monodisperse, defect passivated, and highly electroluminescent dots. I then design and fabricate device stacks with judiciously selected materials to use as contacts as well as electron and hole transport layers to maximize the luminance and external quantum efficiencies of the devices. My long-term goal is to replace the toxic lead in top performing present day perovskites with non-toxic alternatives such as tin, bismuth, europium, or strontium combined with effective passivation strategies to achieve comparable or superior performance to lead perovskites in solar cells.
Advisor: David Ginger – Chemistry