Reviewed by Lexie CornerOct 15 2024
Researchers from the School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University, led by Associate Professor Guohua Jia, have discovered that the shape of zinc sulfide nanocrystals has a significant impact on how effectively molecules adhere to their surface. The study was published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society.
Image Credit: Curtin University
In a breakthrough that could enhance everyday technology, Curtin researchers have discovered a method to increase the number of molecules that adhere to the surface of small nanocrystals. This advancement could lead to brighter TV screens, improved medical diagnostics, and more efficient solar panels.
Ligands play a key role in controlling the behavior and performance of zinc sulfide nanocrystals in various important technologies. In a discovery that could open new possibilities for developing smarter, more advanced devices, our study found flatter, more even particles called nanoplatelets allow more ligands to attach tightly, compared to other shapes like nanodots and nanorods.
Guohua Jia, Associate Professor and Study Lead Author, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University
Guohua Jia said, “By adjusting the shape of these particles, we were able to control how they interacted with their surroundings and make them more efficient in various applications. From brighter LED lights and screens to more efficient solar panels and more detailed medical imaging, the ability to control particle shapes could revolutionize product efficiency and performance.”
According to Associate Professor Jia, the finding may improve the functionality of optoelectronics, which are systems that either generate light or use light to work.
Optoelectronics are important in many modern technologies, including telecommunications, medical devices, and energy production. The ability to efficiently manipulate light and electricity is central to the advancement of faster, more efficient, and more compact electronic systems. This includes LEDs, which convert electricity into light and are used in everything from light bulbs to TV screens as well as solar cells that convert light into electrical energy, powering devices using sunlight.
Guohua Jia, Associate Professor and Study Lead Author, School of Molecular and Life Sciences, Curtin University
Guohua Jia added, “Other devices that could be advanced by this discovery include photodetectors that sense light and convert it into an electrical signal, such as in cameras and sensors, plus laser diodes used in fiber-optic communication that convert electrical signals into light for data transmission.”
Journal Reference:
Chen, W., et al. (2024) Deciphering Surface Ligand Density of Colloidal Semiconductor Nanocrystals: Shape Matters. Journal of the American Chemical Society. doi.org/10.1021/jacs.4c09592.