Solution processed semiconductor materials are synthesized as a basis
for the development of electronic devices. The materials include
colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots and metal-halide perovskites.
On perovskite we work on the metal-halides for applications in X-ray
detectors, photodetectors. Lasers, and photovoltaics. Our focus is on
single crystalline materials, on size scales between micrometers and
millimeters. Besides conventional macroscopic single crystals from
solutions we especially work on epitaxial growth of microcrystalline
arrays and films, by methods including drop casting, antisolvent vapor
assisted crystallization and space confined growth. Current topics
include doping of such materials, ferroelectric effects in these
materials, or surface passivation of them. Also seeded growth of
epitaxial perovskites by colloidal nanocrystal quantum dots is a topic
we follow.
Our second activity concerns metal-oxide nanocrystals, that are applied
as electrochromic materials, exhibiting within an electrochromic device
color changes upon intercalation or de-intercalation of Li-ions. For
their application as electrodes in the devices, films of the colloidal
nanocrystals are prepared, whose function rely heavily on ligand
treatments procedures which are developed in our group. The resulting
electrochromic devices have the potential to be used in smart windows,
providing diming from sun light upon electrical activation