Advances in Colloidal I-III-VI₂-Based Semiconductor Quantum Dots toward Tailorable Photofunctional Materials

Abstract

Group I-III-VI₂ semiconductor-based quantum dots, such as AgInS₂, CuInS₂ and their solid solution with ZnS, have recently been reported to show intense photoluminescence, the wavelength of which is tunable in a wide range from visible to near-infrared (NIR) light regions by controlling their chemical composition and/or size. Due to their low toxicity and tunable optical properties, these multinary semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) have been intensively developed as alternative materials to conventional Cd- and Pb-based QDs for applications to photoluminescent devices, photocatalysts, quantum dot solar cells, and biological imaging materials. In this review, the recent progress in the photofunctionality of I-III-VI₂-based semiconductor QDs prepared by the colloidal method is outlined with foucus on two advances: (1) extension of the photoluminescence wavelength to NIR light for in vivo biological imaging and (2) improvement of photoenergy conversion properties by nanostructure control of QDs.