title: Sandwiched confinement of quantum dots in graphene matrix for efficient electron transfer and photocurrent production.
abstract: Quantum dots (QDs) and graphene are both promising materials for the development of new-generation optoelectronic devices. Towards this end, synergic assembly of these two building blocks is a key step but remains a challenge. Here, we show a one-step strategy for organizing QDs in a graphene matrix via interfacial self-assembly, leading to the formation of sandwiched hybrid QD-graphene nanofilms. We have explored structural features, electron transfer kinetics and photocurrent generation capacity of such hybrid nanofilms using a wide variety of advanced techniques. Graphene nanosheets interlink QDs and significantly improve electronic coupling, resulting in fast electron transfer from photoexcited QDs to graphene with a rate constant of 1.3 × 10(9) s(-1). Efficient electron transfer dramatically enhances photocurrent generation in a liquid-junction QD-sensitized solar cell where the hybrid nanofilm acts as a photoanode. We thereby demonstrate a cost-effective method to construct large-area QD-graphene hybrid nanofilms with straightforward scale-up potential for optoelectronic applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Nan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kaibo
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Zheng
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Khadga J
authors.initials: KJ
authors.lastname: Karki
authors.affiliation: 1] Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden [2] Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, South valley University, Qena 83523, Egypt.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Abdellah
authors.affiliation: The MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Qiushi
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.affiliation: The MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Carlson
authors.affiliation: The MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Dörthe
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Haase
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Karel
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Žídek
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Jens
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ulstrup
authors.affiliation: The MAX IV Laboratory, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Sophie E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Canton
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemical Physics, Lund University, Box 124, 22100, Lund, Sweden.
authors.forename: Tõnu
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Pullerits
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Technical University of Denmark, Kemitorvet Building 207, DK-2800 Kongens Lyngby, Denmark.
authors.forename: Qijin
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Chi