Research progress in nanocrystal light-emitting diodes based on the self-assembly technology

Abstract

Self-assembly technology allows structural units on the nano- or micrometer scale to be assembled into multilevel ordered structures by non-covalent bonding forces in the absence of external interference, which have advantages of simple operation, good stability of prepared films, tunable bandgap, and so on. To date, self-assembly technology has been demonstrated to possess a great potential for optoelectronics and microelectronics. In particular, nanocrystal light-emitting diodes (NC-LEDs) using self-assembly technologies have become the focus of research because of their merits such as the ability to improve the photon out-coupling efficiency and the simplicity of fabrication methods, which show important application prospects in the fields of display and lighting. In this review, the research progress of state-of-the-art NC-LEDs based on self-assembly technologies have been insightfully introduced. Firstly, basic concepts in self-assembled LEDs have been summarized, including the design principle and synthesis methods for self-assembly technologies, LED device structure, and emission mechanism. Then, from the point of view of emitting materials, the current research status of self-assembled NC-LEDs based on quantum dots, perovskites, and colloidal quantum wells have been highlighted. At last, the current challenges of NC-LEDs based on self-assembly technologies and their future development opportunities have been discussed.