Efficient and stable solid state luminophores with colloidal quantum dots-based silica monolith

Abstract The inherent unsatisfactory configurational and poor chemical stability of colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are the main impediments hindering their broad device operation. In this work, we synthesized colloidal quantum dots-silica monolith (CQDs-SM) solid-state luminophores with different emission colors through a simple sol-gel method. The synthetic method, the morphologies of the composites and optical properties measurement in our work is in a new regime not studied before. Thermostability test indicated that the encapsulated CQDs-SM composites samples had excellent stability against elevated temperature compared with that of fresh CQDs. Furthermore, the as-prepared CQDs-SM displays excellent photoluminescence stability in the air atmosphere for several months. The light emission also efficiently sustained stable with no measurable decrease for over 100 h under continuous UV laser illumination, which can be attributed to the SiO2 capping layer protecting the CQDs from degradation and agglomeration. It is quite obvious that the remarkable optical performances and novel synthesis method used here will offer CQDs-SM composites a new platform for applications in light sources and displays.