Negative Trion Auger Recombination in Highly Luminescent InP/ZnSe/ZnS Quantum Dots

Upon demonstrating self-luminescing quantum dot based light-emitting devices (QD-LEDs), rapid Auger recombination acts as one of the performance limiting factors. Here, we report the Auger processes of highly luminescent InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs with different midshell structures that affect the performances of QD-LEDs. Transient PL measurements reveal that exciton–exciton binding energy is dependent on the midshell thickness, which implies that the intercarrier Coulomb interaction caused by the introduction of excess charges may come under the influence of midshell thickness which is in contrast with the nearly stationary single exciton behavior. Photochemical electron-doping and optical measurements of a single QD show that negative trion Auger recombination exhibits strong correlation with midshell thickness, which is supported by the dynamics of a hot electron generated in the midshell. These results highlight the role of excess electrons and the effects of engineered shell structures in InP/ZnSe/ZnS QDs, which eventually determine the Auger recombination and QD-LED performances.