Abstract: Nanoparticles containing IUPAC group 11 ions, group 13 ions and sulfur ions are synthesized by adding metal salts and an alkanethiol in an organic solvent and promoting the reaction by applying heat. Nanoparticles are formed at temperatures as low as 200° C. The nanoparticles may be thermally annealed for a certain amount of time at a temperature lower than the reaction temperature (usually ˜40° C. lower) to improve the topology and narrow the size distribution. After the reaction is complete, the nanoparticles may be isolated by the addition of a non-solvent and re-dispersed in organic solvents including toluene, chloroform and hexane to form a nanoparticle ink. Additives may be incorporated in the reaction solution to tailor the final ink viscosity.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a formulation for use in the fabrication of a light-emitting device, the formulation including a population of semiconductor nanoparticles incorporated into a plurality of discrete microbeads comprising an optically transparent medium, the nanoparticle-containing medium being embedded in a host light-emitting diode encapsulation medium. A method of preparing such a formulation is described. There is further provided a light-emitting device including a primary light source in optical communication with such a formulation and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are coated beads made of a primary matrix material and containing a population of quantum dot nanoparticles. Each bead has a multi-layer surface coating. The layers can be two or more distinct surface coating materials. The surface coating materials may be inorganic materials and/or polymeric materials. A method of preparing such particles is also described. The coated beads are useful for composite materials for applications such as light-emitting devices.

Abstract: A method of preparing Group XIII selenide nanoparticles comprises reacting a Group XIII ion source with a selenol compound. The nanoparticles have an MxSey semiconductor core (where M is In or Ga) and an organic capping ligand attached to the core via a carbon-selenium bond. The selenol provides a source of selenium for incorporation into the semiconductor core and also provides the organic capping ligand. The nanoparticles are particularly suitable for solution-based methods of preparing semiconductor films.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing quantum dots (QDs) by reacting one or more core semiconductor precursors with phosphine in the presence of a molecular cluster compound. The core semiconductor precursor(s) provides elements that are incorporated into the QD core semiconductor material. The core semiconductor also incorporates phosphorus, which is provided by the phosphine. The phosphine may be provided to the reaction as a gas or may, alternatively, be provided as an adduct of another material.

Abstract: A lamp for safety signalling is disclosed. The lamp uses quantum dot phosphors to down-convert light from a primary light source and provide red or green light.

Abstract: A process for producing nanoparticles incorporating ions selected from groups 13, 16, and 11 or 12 of the periodic table is described. The process comprises effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising said group 13, 16, and 11 or 12 ions to the material of the nanoparticles in the presence of a selenol compound. A process for fabricating a thin film comprising nanoparticles incorporating ions selected from groups 13, 16, and 11 or 12 of the periodic table is also described, as well as a process for producing a printable ink formulation comprising said nanoparticles.

Abstract: A method of producing nanoparticles comprises effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition to the material of the nanoparticles. The precursor composition comprises a first precursor species containing a first ion to be incorporated into the growing nanoparticles and a separate second precursor species containing a second ion to be incorporated into the growing nanoparticles. The conversion is effected in the presence of a molecular cluster compound under conditions permitting seeding and growth of the nanoparticles.

Abstract: Materials and methods for preparing Cu2ZnSnS4 (CZTS) layers for use in thin film photovoltaic (PV) cells are disclosed herein. The CZTS materials are nanoparticles prepared by a colloidal synthesis in the presence of a labile organothiol. The organothiol serves as both a sulphur source and as a capping ligand for the nanoparticles.

Abstract: A process for producing copper selenide nanoparticles by effecting conversion of a nanoparticle precursor composition comprising copper and selenide ions to the material of the copper selenide nanoparticles in the presence of a selenol compound. Copper selenide-containing films and CIGS semiconductor films produced using copper selenide as a fluxing agent are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for producing encapsulated nanoparticles by dispersing said nanoparticles and an encapsulating medium in a common solvent to form a first solution system and treating said first solution system with a stimulus suitable to induce simultaneous aggregation of the nanoparticles and the encapsulating medium.

Abstract: Surface-modified nanoparticles are produced by associating ligand interactive agents with the surface of a nanoparticle. The ligand interactive agents are bound to surface modifying ligands that are tailored to impart particular solubility and/or compatibility properties. The ligand interactive agents are crosslinked via a linking/crosslinking agent, such as hexamethoxymethylmelamine or a derivative thereof. The linking/crosslinking agent may provide a binding site for binding the surface modifying ligands to the ligand interactive agents.

Abstract: A formulation incorporates nanoparticles, particularly quantum dot (QD) nanoparticles, into an optically clear medium (resin) to be used as a phosphor material in lighting and display applications, and as a down converting phosphor material in LEDs (light emitting diodes). The resin is compatible with QDs to allow high performance and stability of QD-based LEDs, lighting and display applications.

Abstract: A method for producing aqueous compatible semiconductor nanoparticles includes binding pre-modified ligands to nanoparticles without the need for further post-binding modification to render the nanoparticles aqueous compatible. Nanoparticles modified in this way may exhibit enhanced fluorescence and stability compared to aqueous compatible nanoparticles produced by methods requiring post-binding modification processes.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to a plurality of coated primary particles, each primary particle including a primary matrix material and containing a population of semiconductor nanoparticles, wherein each primary particle is provided with a separate layer of a surface coating material. Various methods of preparing such particles are described. Composite materials and light-emitting devices incorporating such primary particles are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to a formulation for use in the fabrication of a light-emitting device, the formulation including a population of semiconductor nanoparticles incorporated into a plurality of discrete microbeads comprising an optically transparent medium, the nanoparticle-containing medium being embedded in a host light-emitting diode encapsulation medium. A method of preparing such a formulation is described. There is further provided a light-emitting device including a primary light source in optical communication with such a formulation and a method of fabricating the same.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for producing quantum dots (QDs) by reacting one or more core semiconductor precursors with phosphine in the presence of a molecular cluster compound. The core semiconductor precursor(s) provides elements that are incorporated into the QD core semiconductor material. The core semiconductor also incorporates phosphorus, which is provided by the phosphine. The phosphine may be provided to the reaction as a gas or may, alternatively, be provided as an adduct of another material.

Abstract: By forming nanoparticles from gas-phase precursors within cracks or defects in a gas-barrier film, crack-width may be determined from the diameter of the nanoparticles formed within. The optical absorption and emission wavelengths of a quantum dot are governed by the particle size. For a particular material, the absorption and/or emission wavelengths may therefore be correlated to the particle size (as determined from techniques such as transmission electron microscopy, TEM). Thus, fluorescence measurement techniques and/or confocal microscopy may be used to determine the size of quantum dots formed within a gas-barrier film, allowing both the size and nature of a defect to be determined. The method may be used to assess the potential effects of defects on the integrity of the gas-barrier film.

Abstract: In various embodiments, the present invention relates to production of encapsulated nanoparticles by dispersing said nanoparticles and an encapsulating medium in a common solvent to form a first solution system and applying a stimulus to said first solution system to induce simultaneous aggregation of the nanoparticles and the encapsulating medium.