PhD defence: Bright materials, better future - Exploring multiexciton emission and upconversion

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The global energy crisis underscores the need for innovative materials to support renewable energy and sustainability. Luminescent nanomaterials—tiny materials that emit light—are leading this effort thanks to their unique properties. This thesis focuses on two types of these nanomaterials: semiconductor quantum dots and lanthanide-doped nanocrystals, exploring how they behave under intense light exposure. Semiconductor quantum dots, such as those made from CdSe and InP, are exciting because their properties depend on their size. However, they face challenges like energy losses that reduce their efficiency.

This study looks at how these losses affect quantum dot performance for applications like displays and light technologies. Lanthanide-doped nanocrystals work differently—they can convert infrared light into visible light in a process called upconversion, making them valuable for biological imaging and sensing of temperatures or pressures. Yet, this research shows that the local environment can interfere with their performance, especially for temperature sensing.

Combining experiments and theory, this thesis uncovers how these two types of luminescent nanomaterials behave under strong light exposure and the challenges they face. The findings shed light on internal processes that lead to losses or emission of light, offering insights that could support the development of nanomaterials for next-generation applications.

PLEASE NOTE: The candidate gives a layman's talk prior to the defense of the dissertation; therefore, the livestream will start fifteen minutes earlier.

Start date and time
End date and time
Location
Hybride: online (livestream link) and for invited guests in the Utrecht University Hall, Domplein 29
PhD candidate
S.J.W. Vonk
Dissertation
Bright materials, better future - Exploring multiexciton emission and upconversion
PhD supervisor(s)
prof. dr. A. van Blaaderen
prof. dr. ir. B.M. Weckhuysen
Co-supervisor(s)
dr. F.T. Rabouw
More information
Abstract via Utrecht University Repository