Xinhua Zhong

Bio: Xinhua Zhong is an academic researcher from South China Agricultural University. The author has contributed to research in topics: Quantum dot & Materials science. The author has an hindex of 64, co-authored 204 publications receiving 12736 citations. Previous affiliations of Xinhua Zhong include East China University of Science and Technology & Tongji University.

Alloyed ZnxCd1-xS Nanocrystals with Highly Narrow Luminescence Spectral Width

Abstract: High-quality alloyed ZnxCd1-xS nanocrystals have been synthesized at high temperature by the reaction of a mixture of CdO- and ZnO-oleic acid complexes with sulfur in the noncoordinating solvent octadecene system. A series of monodisperse wurtzite ZnxCd1-xS (x = 0.10, 0.25, 0.36, 0.53) nanocrystals were obtained with corresponding particle radii of 4.0, 3.2, 2.9, and 2.4 nm, respectively. With the increase of the Zn content, their photoluminescence (PL) spectra blue-shift systematically across the visible spectrum from 474 to 391 nm, indicating the formation of the alloyed nanocrystals. The alloy structure is also supported by the characteristic X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns of these nanoalloys with different Zn mole fractions, in which their diffraction peaks systematically shift to larger angles as the Zn content increases. The lattice parameter c measured from XRD patterns decreases linearly with the increase of Zn content. This trend is consistent with Vegard's law, which further confirms the forma...

Composition-tunable ZnxCd1-xSe nanocrystals with high luminescence and stability

Abstract: High-quality ZnxCd1-xSe nanocrystals have been successfully prepared at high temperature by incorporating stoichiometric amounts of Zn and Se into pre-prepared CdSe nanocrystals. With increasing Zn content, a composition-tunable emission across most of the visible spectrum has been demonstrated by a systematic blue-shift in emission wavelength. The photoluminescence (PL) properties for the obtained ZnxCd1-xSe nanocrystals (PL efficiency of 70−85%, fwhm = 22−30 nm) are comparable to those for the best reported CdSe-based QDs. In particular, they also have good PL properties in the blue spectral range. Moreover, the alloy nanocrystals can retain their high luminescence (PL efficiency of over 40%) when dispersed in aqueous solutions and maintain a symmetric peak shape and spectral position under rigorous experimental conditions. A rapid alloying process was observed at a temperature higher than “alloying point”. The mechanism of the high luminescence efficiency and stability of ZnxCd1-xSe nanocrystals is exp...

High-Efficiency “Green” Quantum Dot Solar Cells

Abstract: Semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are extremely interesting materials for the development of photovoltaic devices, but currently the present the drawback is that the most efficient devices have been prepared with toxic heavy metals of Cd or Pb. Solar cells based on “green” QDs—totally free of Cd or Pb—present a modest efficiency of 2.52%. Herein we achieve effective surface passivation of the ternary CuInS2 (CIS) QDs that provides high photovoltaic quality core/shell CIS/ZnS (CIS-Z) QDs, leading to the development of high-efficiency green QD solar cells that surpass the performance of those based on the toxic cadmium and lead chalcogenides QDs. Using wide absorption range QDs, CIS-Z-based quantum dot sensitized solar cell (QDSC) configuration with high QD loading and with the benefit of the recombination reduction with type-I core/shell structure, we boost the power conversion efficiency of Cd- and Pb-free QDSC to a record of 7.04% (with certified efficiency of 6.66%) under AM 1.5G one sun irradiation. Thi...

Zn–Cu–In–Se Quantum Dot Solar Cells with a Certified Power Conversion Efficiency of 11.6%

Abstract: The enhancement of power conversion efficiency (PCE) and the development of toxic Cd-, Pb-free quantum dots (QDs) are critical for the prosperity of QD-based solar cells. It is known that the properties (such as light harvesting range, band gap alignment, density of trap state defects, etc.) of QD light harvesters play a crucial effect on the photovoltaic performance of QD based solar cells. Herein, high quality ∼4 nm Cd-, Pb-free Zn–Cu–In–Se alloyed QDs with an absorption onset extending to ∼1000 nm were developed as effective light harvesters to construct quantum dot sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). Due to the small particle size, the developed QD sensitizer can be efficiently immobilized on TiO2 film electrode in less than 0.5 h. An average PCE of 11.66% and a certified PCE of 11.61% have been demonstrated in the QDSCs based on these Zn–Cu–In–Se QDs. The remarkably improved photovoltaic performance for Zn–Cu–In–Se QDSCs vs Cu–In–Se QDSCs (11.66% vs 9.54% in PCE) is mainly derived from the higher conduct...

Core/shell colloidal quantum dot exciplex states for the development of highly efficient quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells.

Abstract: Searching suitable panchromatic QD sensitizers for expanding the light-harvesting range, accelerating charge separation, and retarding charge recombination is an effective way to improve power conversion efficiency (PCE) of quantum-dot-sensitized solar cells (QDSCs). One possible way to obtain a wide absorption range is to use the exciplex state of a type-II core/shell-structured QDs. In addition, this system could also provide a fast charge separation and low charge-recombination rate. Herein, we report on using a CdTe/CdSe type-II core/shell QD sensitizer with an absorption range extending into the infrared region because of its exciplex state, which is covalently linked to TiO2 mesoporous electrodes by dropping a bifunctional linker molecule mercaptopropionic acid (MPA)-capped QD aqueous solution onto the film electrode. High loading and a uniform distribution of QD sensitizer throughout the film electrode thickness have been confirmed by energy dispersive X-ray (EDX) elemental mapping. The accelerated...

Nanocrystals of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskites (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, and I): Novel Optoelectronic Materials Showing Bright Emission with Wide Color Gamut

Abstract: Metal halides perovskites, such as hybrid organic–inorganic CH3NH3PbI3, are newcomer optoelectronic materials that have attracted enormous attention as solution-deposited absorbing layers in solar cells with power conversion efficiencies reaching 20%. Herein we demonstrate a new avenue for halide perovskites by designing highly luminescent perovskite-based colloidal quantum dot materials. We have synthesized monodisperse colloidal nanocubes (4–15 nm edge lengths) of fully inorganic cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3, X = Cl, Br, and I or mixed halide systems Cl/Br and Br/I) using inexpensive commercial precursors. Through compositional modulations and quantum size-effects, the bandgap energies and emission spectra are readily tunable over the entire visible spectral region of 410–700 nm. The photoluminescence of CsPbX3 nanocrystals is characterized by narrow emission line-widths of 12–42 nm, wide color gamut covering up to 140% of the NTSC color standard, high quantum yields of up to 90%, and radiativ...

Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Inorganic Perovskite Cesium Lead Halides (CsPbX3)

Abstract: Novel quantum-dot light-emitting diodes based on all-inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals are reported. The well-dispersed, single-crystal quantum dots (QDs) exhibit high quantum yields, and tunable light emission wavelength. The demonstration of these novel perovskite QDs opens a new avenue toward designing optoelectronic devices, such as displays, photodetectors, solar cells, and lasers.

Core/Shell semiconductor nanocrystals.

Abstract: Colloidal core/shell nanocrystals contain at least two semiconductor materials in an onionlike structure. The possibility to tune the basic optical properties of the core nanocrystals, for example, their fluorescence wavelength, quantum yield, and lifetime, by growing an epitaxial-type shell of another semiconductor has fueled significant progress on the chemical synthesis of these systems. In such core/shell nanocrystals, the shell provides a physical barrier between the optically active core and the surrounding medium, thus making the nanocrystals less sensitive to environmental changes, surface chemistry, and photo-oxidation. The shell further provides an efficient passivation of the surface trap states, giving rise to a strongly enhanced fluorescence quantum yield. This effect is a fundamental prerequisite for the use of nanocrystals in applications such as biological labeling and light-emitting devices, which rely on their emission properties. Focusing on recent advances, this Review discusses the fundamental properties and synthesis methods of core/shell and core/multiple shell structures of II-VI, IV-VI, and III-V semiconductors.