Colloidal Quantum Nanostructures: Emerging Materials for Display Applications

Colloidal semiconductor nanocrystals (SCNCs) or, more broadly, colloidal quantum nanostructures constitute outstanding model systems for investigating size and dimensionality effects. Their nanoscale dimensions lead to quantum confinement effects that enable tuning of their optical and electronic properties. Thus, emission color control with narrow photoluminescence spectra, wide absorbance spectra, and outstanding photostability, combined with their chemical processability through control of their surface chemistry leads to the emergence of SCNCs as outstanding materials for present and next-generation displays. In this Review, we present the fundamental chemical and physical properties of SCNCs, followed by a description of the advantages of different colloidal quantum nanostructures for display applications. The open challenges with respect to their optical activity are addressed. Both photoluminescent and electroluminescent display scenarios utilizing SCNCs are described.