QMC announces volume perovskite QD process
US-based cadmium-free quantum dot manufacturer Quantum Materials Corp (QMC) has announced it has developed a continuous flow manufacturing process to produce stable, low cost, high purity perovskite quantum dots (PQDs).
Perovskite quantum dots are leading a breakthrough in materials technology, but the commercialisation of these materials has been hampered due to inabilities to produce large volumes of these materials at low cost points while still achieving long term reliability. QMC has developed a high volume production process that produces extremely high purity PQDs with significantly improved stability.
PQDs have many unique properties that suit them for next generation solar cells and displays. For instance, in solar cells perovskites have demonstrated conversion efficiencies of 22.7 percent which is higher than today's best dye-sensitised or thin-film technologies (CiGS, CdTe) and can also extend efficiency (up to 1.3x) of silicon PVs when coated as an absorption enhancement layer. High purity PQDs hold the promise to achieve high conversion efficiencies while also solving many of the reliability and stability challenges.
As a phosphor replacement in flat panel displays, PQDs have the potential to provide industry best colour gamut picture qualities due to their extremely narrow emission wavelength profile. For comparison, todays industry leading low cadmium or cadmium free QLED displays can only deliver roughly an 80 percent Rec 2020 coverage while PQDs have the ability to deliver roughly a 98 percent Rec 2020 coverage (with properties that include: PLQY>95 percent, FWHM <25 nm and adjustable peak position).
"With our continuous flow process technology QMC can produce high purity PQD's at a fraction of the cost of the high purity silicon used in silicon solar cells and with solution processing these materials are compatible with monomers for easy implementation usng roll-to-roll coating technologies," said Toshi Ando, director of business development for QMC.
QMC is the first to adapt a mature mass-production technology to perovskite quantum dot production. With nearly a decade of continuous flow quantum dot development experience, QMC believes it is uniquely positioned to respond to the emerging market for high purity uniform quantum dots and nanoparticles.
"It was not surprising to us that through our patented flow process we have been able to enhance the reliability and stability of perovskite quantum dots. In addition to high volume and low production cost the QMC flow process consistently accelerates discovery and produces extraordinary results, " said QMC's CEO, Stephen Squires.
"As we are approaching the final stage of bringing to market our first commercial level red-green QD infused film component, we see tremendous potential in advancing the performance level of our QD based film components even further with the incorporation of PQD's to bring the colour gamut up to nearly 100 percent of the new colour standard Rec 2020 coverage, which will set a new standard in flat panel display colour rendering," he added.
