Near-white emitting QD-LED based on hydrophilic CdS nanocrystals

► CdS NCs were synthesized using a novel thermochemical approach. ► Synthesized NCs were quite hydrophilic and considerably well dispersed in water. ► CdS NCs were used as emissive layer of ITO/PEDOT:PSS/PVK/CdS NCs/Al or Mg:Ag QD-LED. ► Fabricated device demonstrated a near white emission with (0.32, 0.41) CIE coordinates. ► Annealing of device was performed and proved effective in efficiency enhancement.