Good Dispersion of Large-Stokes-Shift Heterovalent-Doped CdX Quantum Dots into Bulk PMMA Matrix and Their Optical Properties Characterization

Abstract

Dispersion of quantum dots (QDs) into a PMMA polymer matrix is promising for luminescent solar concentrator applications in improving the application of photovoltaic cells in both efficiency and flexibility. However, some problems like self-absorption of emitted light, drastic agglomeration, and the oxidation of QDs limit the application of it. Herein, we introduced heterovalent-doped CdX (X = S, Se):Ag (Cu) QDs with stable doped luminescence and large Stokes shift prepared by cation exchange strategy into a PMMA matrix, in which such good performances were kept after in situ polymerization. The UV–vis absorption and PL spectra comparison before and after polymerization confirmed this. The FT-IR, 1HNMR, XPS, and TG-DTA characterizations have been used to explore the interaction between QDs and the polymer matrix. The Stokes shift of them after dispersion in PMMA was larger than 0.9 ev, and the absolute quantum yields were more than 50% after dispersed in bulk PMMA. The luminescence collection behavior of the flexibly shaped centimeter-scale PMMA matrix confirmed their promising applications as a luminescent solar concentrator.