POSTECH Researchers Develop a Scalable, Room-Temperature Process to Improve Efficiency and Industrial Viability
A research team from Pohang University of Science and Technology (POSTECH) has developed an innovative method for synthesizing perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) at room temperature, marking a significant advancement in nanomaterial production. This breakthrough, recently published in ACS Nano, is expected to accelerate the commercialization of high-performance optoelectronic devices, including LEDs, solar cells, lasers, and photodetectors.
The study, led by Professors Young-Ki Kim and Yong-Young Noh of POSTECH’s Department of Chemical Engineering, introduces a controlled synthesis approach using liquid crystals (LCs) to enhance the uniformity, scalability, and efficiency of PNC fabrication.
Overcoming the Limitations of Conventional Perovskite Synthesis
Perovskite nanocrystals are highly promising for next-generation solar cells and high-efficiency displays due to their tunable light absorption and emission properties, governed by the quantum confinement effect. However, existing methods such as hot-injection and ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) face challenges, including:
- High synthesis temperatures leading to inconsistent particle sizes.
- Complex reaction setups, requiring additional purification steps.
- Low productivity, restricting large-scale industrial applications.
To overcome these barriers, the POSTECH team developed a modified LARP method, replacing traditional antisolvents with liquid crystal (LC) media, enabling precise control over nanocrystal growth.
How Liquid Crystals Enhance Nanocrystal Synthesis
Liquid crystals exhibit both fluid-like and solid-like properties, allowing their molecules to align in a preferred orientation while maintaining elasticity. The researchers leveraged these properties to control the shape and size of PNCs by introducing LCs as an antisolvent in the synthesis process.
Key advantages of this approach include:
- Enhanced uniformity: Elastic strains in the LC phase regulate nanocrystal growth, preventing uncontrolled expansion.
- Fewer surface defects: LCs facilitate denser ligand binding, reducing surface imperfections and improving luminescence.
- Scalability & efficiency: The process allows for large-scale nanocrystal production without the need for additional purification.
“Our method significantly improves perovskite nanocrystal synthesis, making it more efficient, scalable, and environmentally friendly,” said Professor Young-Ki Kim. “This technique is highly compatible with existing fabrication methods and could lead to major advancements in optoelectronic devices.”
Implications for Optoelectronic Device Performance
This discovery is expected to enhance the performance and commercial viability of perovskite-based devices, including:
- Higher-efficiency LEDs and displays with improved brightness and durability.
- More stable and cost-effective solar cells, increasing energy conversion efficiency.
- Advanced photodetectors and lasers, benefiting from superior optical properties.
Towards Commercialization of High-Performance Nanocrystals
By simplifying perovskite nanocrystal synthesis and eliminating the need for extreme reaction conditions, this room-temperature, LC-assisted process opens new doors for commercial-scale production of next-generation semiconductors.
“This research brings us closer to the large-scale commercialization of high-performance perovskite-based devices,” Kim added.
Supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF), this breakthrough could redefine industrial applications of perovskite nanocrystals, pushing forward the future of optoelectronics and sustainable energy solutions.
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