Research Theme 1:
Precision Synthesis
Research Theme 1: Precision Synthesis
Research Theme 1 (RT-1) includes the teams that are developing new chemical reactions to synthesize the building blocks that make up the next generation of optoelectronic devices.
Transforming optical technologies with colloidal quantum dots begins with synthesizing novel materials that have superior performance and can be easily handled and incorporated into devices and applications. Members of RT-1 are advancing the fundamental science underpinning colloidal semiconductors.
Combining multi-level theory and experimentation the team engaged in RT-1 are innovating techniques to control the precision synthesis of colloidal materials and their surfaces to produce quantum dots with advanced combinations of color purity (linewidth), stability, brightness, and processability from ensembles down to single dot precision.
RT-1’s collaboration with RT-2 revolves around the design of new materials that enable accurate and reliable placement of the new materials in device architectures. RT-1’s collaboration with RT-3 uses the feedback from device engineers to innovate on new materials that have properties desired in new device structures.
Find out more about the IMOD members participating in RT-1 research, and check out some of the recent RT-1 publications.
RT-1 Research Groups

Faculty | Associate Director of Communications | RT2 Deputy Director
Correa-Baena Group

Faculty | Associate Director for Research | RT1 Lead
Cossairt Group

Faculty
Dukovic Group

Faculty
Gamelin Group

Faculty
Jonas Group

Faculty | RT1 Deputy Lead
Kanatzidis Group

Faculty | Deputy Director
Marder Group

Faculty
Mohite Group

Faculty
Murray Group

Faculty
Owen Group

Faculty
Talapin Group

Faculty
Toney Group
Recent RT-1 Publications

Discovering Quantum Confinement in a Safe and Convenient Synthesis of Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL EDUCATION 2026, ASAP
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.jchemed.5c01361

Ammoniate Intermediates Enable Tunable Biphasic Molten Salt/Organic Synthesis of Colloidal GaN Nanocrystals
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS 2026, 38, 8, 4017–4028
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c03186

Trion Formation Hampers Single Quantum Dot Performance in Silane-Coated FAPbBr3 Quantum Dots
NANO LETTERS 2026, 26, 14, 4855–4865
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.6c00643

Exciton diffusion beyond 2 μm enabled by maximum symmetry in two-dimensional perovskites
NATURE SYNTHESIS 2026,
https://doi.org/10.1038/s44160-026-01041-4

All-Inorganic, Bicontinuous, Bandgap-Engineered Epitaxially-Fused PbSe Quantum Dot/CdS Matrix Heterostructures for Optoelectronic and Electronic Applications
ACS NANO 2026, 20, 12, 10138–10150
https://doi.org/10.1021/acsnano.6c01036

Engineering Mn2+-Doped CdS/ZnS Quantum Dot Surfaces to Control Auger Upconversion Photocatalysis
JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN CHEMICAL SOCIETY, 2026, 148, 7, 6798–6804
https://doi.org/10.1021/jacs.5c21777