Quantum dot phosphors and their application to inorganic electroluminescence device

The colloidal semiconductor quantum dots (QDs), as represented by colloidal CdSe QDs, synthesized via a chemical solution route that is termed the hot-soap synthesis are excellent phosphors and are expected to be used in various light emission devices, because of their adjustable emission energy utilizing the quantum size effect and high luminosity. We have recently developed less-toxic and cadmium-free colloidal QDs and a QD-activated electroluminescent (EL) device. In this article, we describe the recent development of the ternary I–III–VI2 and ZnO colloidal QDs, respectively, for the phosphors used with visible and ultraviolet lights. A thin film fabrication technique from the colloidal QDs and its application to the fabrication of a CdSe QD-activated all-inorganic EL device are introduced.