Elizabeth M. Y. Lee

Bio: Elizabeth M. Y. Lee is an academic researcher from University of Chicago. The author has contributed to research in topics: Quantum dot & Bridgewire. The author has an hindex of 12, co-authored 36 publications receiving 602 citations. Previous affiliations of Elizabeth M. Y. Lee include Johns Hopkins University & Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Subdiffusive Exciton Transport in Quantum Dot Solids

Abstract: Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) are promising materials for use in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors, but the mechanism and length of exciton transport in QD materials is not well understood. We use time-resolved optical microscopy to spatially visualize exciton transport in CdSe/ZnCdS core/shell QD assemblies. We find that the exciton diffusion length, which exceeds 30 nm in some cases, can be tuned by adjusting the inorganic shell thickness and organic ligand length, offering a powerful strategy for controlling exciton movement. Moreover, we show experimentally and through kinetic Monte Carlo simulations that exciton diffusion in QD solids does not occur by a random-walk process; instead, energetic disorder within the inhomogeneously broadened ensemble causes the exciton diffusivity to decrease over time. These findings reveal new insights into exciton dynamics in disordered systems and demonstrate the flexibility of QD materials for photonic and optoelectronic applications.

Molecular engineered conjugated polymer with high thermal conductivity

Abstract: Traditional polymers are both electrically and thermally insulating. The development of electrically conductive polymers has led to novel applications such as flexible displays, solar cells, and wearable biosensors. As in the case of electrically conductive polymers, the development of polymers with high thermal conductivity would open up a range of applications in next-generation electronic, optoelectronic, and energy devices. Current research has so far been limited to engineering polymers either by strong intramolecular interactions, which enable efficient phonon transport along the polymer chains, or by strong intermolecular interactions, which enable efficient phonon transport between the polymer chains. However, it has not been possible until now to engineer both interactions simultaneously. We report the first realization of high thermal conductivity in the thin film of a conjugated polymer, poly(3-hexylthiophene), via bottom-up oxidative chemical vapor deposition (oCVD), taking advantage of both strong C=C covalent bonding along the extended polymer chain and strong π-π stacking noncovalent interactions between chains. We confirm the presence of both types of interactions by systematic structural characterization, achieving a near–room temperature thermal conductivity of 2.2 W/m·K, which is 10 times higher than that of conventional polymers. With the solvent-free oCVD technique, it is now possible to grow polymer films conformally on a variety of substrates as lightweight, flexible heat conductors that are also electrically insulating and resistant to corrosion.

Determination of Exciton Diffusion Length by Transient Photoluminescence Quenching and Its Application to Quantum Dot Films

Abstract: We present a framework for analyzing transient photoluminescence interfacial quenching experiments to extract exciton diffusivity and diffusion length. Through analytical solutions and finite element simulations at the continuum level, we derive spatiotemporal exciton distributions in films with arbitrary optical thickness and under noninstantaneous photoexcitation, paying particular attention to the effects of imperfect quenching and time-dependent diffusivity (i.e., subdiffusive transport). We demonstrate the utility of our model by applying it to a colloidal quantum dot (QD) thin film interface found in a recently reported record-efficiency QD light-emitting device. We find the exciton diffusion length in these CdSe/CdS core/shell QD films to be in the range 19–24 nm, in agreement with recent measurements of similar materials. We discuss limitations of the continuum-level analysis due to the finite size of individual QDs and an apparent subpopulation of “stationary” excitons that do not diffuse.

Charge Carrier Hopping Dynamics in Homogeneously Broadened PbS Quantum Dot Solids.

Abstract: Energetic disorder in quantum dot solids adversely impacts charge carrier transport in quantum dot solar cells and electronic devices. Here, we use ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy to show that homogeneously broadened PbS quantum dot arrays (σhom2:σinh2 > 19:1, σinh/kBT < 0.4) can be realized if quantum dot batches are sufficiently monodisperse (δ ≲ 3.3%). The homogeneous line width is found to be an inverse function of quantum dot size, monotonically increasing from ∼25 meV for the largest quantum dots (5.8 nm diameter/0.92 eV energy) to ∼55 meV for the smallest (4.1 nm/1.3 eV energy). Furthermore, we show that intrinsic charge carrier hopping rates are faster for smaller quantum dots. This finding is the opposite of the mobility trend commonly observed in device measurements but is consistent with theoretical predictions. Fitting our data to a kinetic Monte Carlo model, we extract charge carrier hopping times ranging from 80 ps for the smallest quantum dots to over 1 ns for the largest, with ...

Epitaxial Dimers and Auger-Assisted Detrapping in PbS Quantum Dot Solids

Abstract: Summary We explore the dynamic interaction of charge carriers between band-edge states and sub-band trap states in PbS quantum dot (QD) solids using time-resolved spectroscopy. In monodisperse arrays of 4- to 5-nm diameter PbS QDs, we observe an optically active trap state ∼100–200 meV below the band edge that occurs at a frequency of 1 in ∼2,500 QDs. Uncoupled QD solids with oleic acid ligands show trap-to-ground-state recombination that resembles Auger recombination. In electronically coupled QD solids, we observe entropically driven uphill thermalization of trapped charge carriers from the trap state to the band edge via two distinct mechanisms: Auger-assisted charge transfer (∼35 ps) and thermally activated hopping (∼500 ps). Photophysical characterization combined with atomistic simulations and high-resolution electron microscopy suggest that these states arise from epitaxially fused pairs of QDs rather than electron or hole traps at the QD surface, offering new strategies for improving the optoelectronic performance of QD materials.

Managing grains and interfaces via ligand anchoring enables 22.3%-efficiency inverted perovskite solar cells

Abstract: We acknowledge the use of KAUST Core Lab and KAUST Solar Center facilities. This work was supported by KAUST and the Office of Sponsored Research (OSR) under award no. OSR-2017-CRG-3380. F.G. is a Wallenberg Academy Fellow.

Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Diodes for Large-Area Displays: Towards the Dawn of Commercialization.

Abstract: Quantum dots are a unique class of emitters with size-tunable emission wavelengths, saturated emission colors, near-unity luminance efficiency, inherent photo- and thermal- stability and excellent solution processability. Quantum dots have been used as down-converters for back-lighting in liquid-crystal displays to improve color gamut, leading to the booming of quantum-dot televisions in consumer market. In the past few years, efficiency and lifetime of electroluminescence devices based on quantum dots achieved tremendous progress. These encouraging facts foreshadow the commercialization of quantum-dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), which promises an unprecedented generation of cost-effective, large-area, energy-saving, wide-color-gamut, ultra-thin and flexible displays. Here we provide a Progress Report, covering interdisciplinary aspects including material chemistry of quantum dots and charge-transporting layers, optimization and mechanism studies of prototype devices and processing techniques to produce large-area and high-resolution red-green-blue pixel arrays. We also identify a few key challenges facing the development of active-matrix QLED displays.

Thermal conductivity of polymers and polymer nanocomposites

Abstract: Polymers are widely used in industry and in our daily life because of their diverse functionality, light weight, low cost and excellent chemical stability. However, on some applications such as heat exchangers and electronic packaging, the low thermal conductivity of polymers is one of the major technological barriers. Enhancing the thermal conductivity of polymers is important for these applications and has become a very active research topic over the past two decades. In this review article, we aim to: 1). systematically summarize the molecular level understanding on the thermal transport mechanisms in polymers in terms of polymer morphology, chain structure and inter-chain coupling; 2). highlight the rationales in the recent efforts in enhancing the thermal conductivity of nanostructured polymers and polymer nanocomposites. Finally, we outline the main advances, challenges and outlooks for highly thermal-conductive polymer and polymer nanocomposites.

Nanoscale Strategies for Light Harvesting

Abstract: Recent advances and the current status of challenging light-harvesting nanomaterials, such as semiconducting quantum dots (QDs), metal nanoparticles, semiconductor–metal heterostructures, π-conjugated semiconductor nanoparticles, organic–inorganic heterostructures, and porphyrin-based nanostructures, have been highlighted in this review. The significance of size-, shape-, and composition-dependent exciton decay dynamics and photoinduced energy transfer of QDs is addressed. A fundamental knowledge of these photophysical processes is crucial for the development of efficient light-harvesting systems, like photocatalytic and photovoltaic ones. Again, we have pointed out the impact of the metal-nanoparticle-based surface energy transfer process for developing light-harvesting systems. On the other hand, metal–semiconductor hybrid nanostructures are found to be very promising for photonic applications due to their exciton–plasmon interactions. Potential light-harvesting systems based on dye-doped π-conjugated s...