Near-infrared photon upconversion and solar synthesis using lead-free nanocrystals
Kaifeng Wu a
a Dalian National Laboratory for Clean Energy, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dalian 116023, P.R. China
Materials for Sustainable Development Conference (MATSUS)
Proceedings of MATSUS Fall 2023 Conference (MATSUSFall23)
#NANOFUN - Functional Nanomaterials: from optoelectronics to bio- and quantum applications
Torremolinos, Spain, 2023 October 16th - 20th
Organizers: Milena Arciniegas, Iwan Moreels and Gabriele Raino
Invited Speaker, Kaifeng Wu, presentation 155
DOI: https://doi.org/10.29363/nanoge.matsus.2023.155
Publication date: 18th July 2023

Near-infrared to visible photon upconversion holds great promise for a diverse range of applications. Current photosensitizers for triplet-fusion upconversion across this spectral window often contain either precious or toxic elements, and have relatively low efficiencies. Although colloidal nanocrystals have emerged as versatile photosensitizers, the only family of nanocrystals discovered for near-infrared upconversion is the highly-toxic lead chalcogenides. Here we report zinc-doped CuInSe2 nanocrystals as a low-cost and lead-free alternate, allowing for near-infrared to yellow upconversion with an external quantum efficiency reaching 16.7%. When directly merged with photoredox catalysis, this system enables efficient near-infrared-driven photoreducation, oxidation, C-O couplong and polymerization, which in turn solves the issue of reabsorption loss for nanocrystal-sensitized upconversion. Moreover, the broadband light capturing of these nanocrystals allows for very rapid reactions under indoor sunlight, an especially remarkable example among which is the polymerization of acrylates within just 30 seconds. Extending the reach of "solar synthesis" into the near-infrared may realize the century-long dream of conducting high added-value chemical transformations using sunlight.

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