@article{f3c2be01691b418e9e6a9870d54485ae,
title = "Quasi-solid-state self-assembly of 1D-branched ZnSe/ZnS quantum rods into parallel monorail-like continuous films for solar devices",
abstract = "Translating the extraordinary optoelectric properties of colloidal quantum rods (QRs) into functional devices requires multiscale structural control to preserve the nanoscale attributes as well as to introduce micro- and macroscale interactions between the building blocks. Self-assembly of anisotropic QRs into ordered nanostructures can tailor the photoelectric properties of the QRs, such as in light absorption, and charge separation and transfer. However, it remains a challenge to assemble anisotropic nanomaterial into centimeter-sized, multilayered continuous films that retain nanoscale properties in the fabricated macroscopic devices. We have developed a quasi-solid-state self-assembly of randomly oriented nanostructures for overcoming this challenge, demonstrated by the re-assembly of randomly packed ZnSe/ZnS QRs into aligned and ordered parallel monorails (PMs). These ZnSe/ZnS PMs show significant enhancement in photo-excited charge transport, boosting photocatalytic oxygen evolution rates and the enhancement of photoelectrochemical activities, with a photocurrent density of 18 μA/cm2, 5 times higher than the parent random packing of ZnSe/ZnS QRs. The ZnSe/ZnS PMs enrich the p-n heterojunctions, which can modulate charge carrier separation and transport at the interfaces. The new method has applicability for re-assembling randomly packed films of anisotropic nanoparticles into ordered nanostructures. Importantly, the extraordinary photoelectro-energy conversion behavior of the Type-I core/shell quantum materials illuminates the pathways for novel designed materials by tailoring the hierarchical structures at all scales.",
keywords = "Core/shell structure, P-N heterojunction, Quantum rods, Self-assembly, Solar energy conversion, Water oxidation",
author = "Dechao Chen and Huayang Zhang and Keisuke Miyazawa and Ryohei Kojima and Peng Zhang and Lei Yang and Qiang Sun and Guosheng Shao and Takeshi Fukuma and Yongsheng Gao and Nguyen, {Nam Trung} and Raston, {Colin L.} and Guohua Jia and Dongyuan Zhao and Prasad, {Paras N.} and Shaobin Wang and Qin Li",
note = "Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Australian Research Council ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub (IH 180100002), Discovery Project (DP200101105) and Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE160100589). S.W. acknowledges the partial support from the Australian Research Council Discovery Project (DP190103548). This work was performed in part at the Queensland node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, a company established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy to provide nano- and micro-fabrication facilities for Australia's researchers. The authors thank Dr Anton Tadich for conducting the X-ray absorption measurements at the Australian Synchrotron (15900). The Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics acknowledges support from the office of Vice President for Research and economic Development at the University at Buffalo. Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the financial support from the Australian Research Council ARC Industrial Transformation Research Hub (IH 180100002 ), Discovery Project (DP200101105) and Discovery Early Career Researcher Award (DE160100589). S.W. acknowledges the partial support from the Australian Research Council Discovery Project (DP190103548). This work was performed in part at the Queensland node of the Australian National Fabrication Facility, a company established under the National Collaborative Research Infrastructure Strategy to provide nano- and micro-fabrication facilities for Australia's researchers. The authors thank Dr Anton Tadich for conducting the X-ray absorption measurements at the Australian Synchrotron (15900). The Institute for Lasers, Photonics and Biophotonics acknowledges support from the office of Vice President for Research and economic Development at the University at Buffalo. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2021 Elsevier Ltd",
year = "2021",
month = nov,
doi = "10.1016/j.nanoen.2021.106348",
language = "English",
volume = "89",
journal = "Nano Energy",
issn = "2211-2855",
publisher = "Elsevier BV",
}
