Chlorine passivation of PbS quantum dots in all solid glass matrix for high efficiency luminescence

Lead sulfide quantum dots (PbS QDs) show great potential application in near infrared range, and incorporation of PbS QDs into all solid glass matrix improves both their chemical and thermal stabilities as well as the shaping ability. However, the incorporation of PbS QDs into all solid glass matrix makes it difficult to modify their surface, resulting in the relatively low absolute photoluminescence quantum yield (PL QY) caused by the surface defects. Here, PbS QDs with tunable photoluminescence band in near-infrared range in silicate glasses were prepared by melting-quenching method. By addition of chloride and forming PbClx shell around PbS QDs in glass, defects induced by surficial lead ions of above PbS QDs can be effectively passivated, reducing subsequent trapping of photo-generated electrons accordingly. PL QY of PbS QDs inbuilt glasses is enhanced eventually and achieved as high as 49.3%. Furthermore, thermo- and photo-stabilities of PbS QDs in glass are greatly improved compared with those without surface chlorine passivation. These high performance PbS QDs embedded glasses with excellent stability show significant potential in light-emitting diodes, lasers and fiber amplifiers in nearinfrared range.