Quantum Dots with Highly Efficient, Stable, and Multicolor Electrochemiluminescence

Outstanding photoluminescence (PL) and electroluminescence properties of quantum dots (QDs) promise possibilities for them to meet challenging expectations of electrochemiluminescence (ECL), which at present relies on inefficient and spectral-irresolvable emitters based on transition-metal complexes (such as Ru(bpy)32+). However, ECL is reported to be extremely sensitive to the surface traps on the QDs likely because of the spatially and temporally separated electrochemical charge injections. Results here reveal that, by engineering the interior inorganic structure (CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell structure) and inorganic–organic interface using new synthetic methods, the trap-insensitive QDs with near-unity PL quantum yield and monoexponential PL decay dynamics in water generated narrow band-edge ECL with efficiencies about six orders of magnitude higher than that of the standard Ru(bpy)32+. The band-edge and spectrally resolved ECL from CdSe/CdS/ZnS core/shell/shell QDs demonstrated a new readout scheme using electrochemical potential. Excellent ECL performance of QDs uncovered here offer opportunities to realize the full potential of ECL for biomedical detection and diagnosis.