Cadmium-Free InP Quantum Dots for Blue Light Absorption

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current quantum dots, especially those without cadmium, face challenges in achieving enhanced blue light absorption and luminous efficiency while maintaining chemical stability, leading to issues like blue light leakage and decreased color purity in display devices.

Innovation Solution

A quantum dot with an alloy semiconductor nanocrystal core composed of indium, gallium, zinc, and phosphorus, and a shell structure of zinc sulfide and selenium, which is synthesized using a specific chemical wet method to control the composition and reactivity, resulting in improved blue light absorption and luminous efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If cadmium-free quantum dots are used, then environmental safety is improved, but blue light absorption and luminous efficiency deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveenvironmental safetyVSAvoidluminous efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a core-shell composite structure where the core is composed of InP semiconductor nanocrystals and the shell consists of ZnS or ZnSe. This composite architecture enables the quantum dot to achieve high luminous efficiency and strong blue light absorption while remaining cadmium-free, thus resolving the contradiction between environmental safety and performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

2Illumination intensity

If blue light absorption is enhanced, then color purity is improved, but blue light leakage increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecolor purityVSAvoidblue light leakage
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the size parameter of the InP semiconductor nanocrystals to precisely control the absorption and emission characteristics. By adjusting the nanocrystal size within a specific range, the quantum dot achieves enhanced blue light absorption for improved color purity while minimizing blue light leakage through precise spectral control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Use of energy by moving object

If alloy composition is optimized for blue light absorption, then luminous efficiency is improved, but chemical stability deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveluminous efficiencyVSAvoidchemical stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a core-shell composite structure where the InP core provides optimized luminous efficiency through controlled alloy composition, while the ZnS or ZnSe shell provides chemical stability. This composite architecture allows the quantum dot to maintain high performance while resisting chemical degradation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The quantum dot composite exhibits enhanced blue light absorption and maintains high luminous efficiency, reducing blue light leakage and improving color purity in display devices, while being free from harmful heavy metals like cadmium.

Implementation Method 1

In an UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the quantum dot(s), a first absorption peak is present in a range of less than or equal to about 520 nanometers (nm)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAbsorption (EM radiation): Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

A quantum dot is a nanocrystal of semiconductor material with a diameter of about several nanometers to several tens of nanometers, which exhibits a quantum confinement effect

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectQuantum confinement effect:

Implementation Method 3

Quantum dots may exhibit electroluminescence and photoluminescence properties

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotoluminescence: Photoluminescence

Data Source

PatentEP3878923B1Quantum dots, and composite and display device including the same
Publication Date: 2024.06.26 SAMSUNG DISPLAY CO LTD
  • EP3878923B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3878923B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3878923B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A quantum dot, a production method thereof, and a quantum dot composite and a device including the same are disclosed, wherein the quantum dot includes an alloy semiconductor nanocrystal including indium (In), gallium, zinc (Zn), phosphorus (P), and sulfur (S), and in the quantum dot, a mole ratio of gallium with respect to indium (Ga:In) is greater than or equal to about 0.2:1, a mole ratio of phosphorus with respect to indium (P:In) is greater than or equal to about 0.95:1, the quantum dot does not include cadmium, and in an UV-Vis absorption spectrum of the quantum dot(s), a first absorption peak is present in a range of less than or equal to about 520 nm.