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

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

Influence of Ligand Exchange on Single Particle Properties of Cesium Lead Bromide Quantum Dots
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS, 2026, ASAP
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c02233

Polymorphism and Phase Control in Dion–Jacobson 2D 3-(Aminomethyl)piperidinium-Based Metal Iodide Perovskites
CHEMISTRY OF MATERIALS, 2025, 37, 24, 9869–9885
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.chemmater.5c02328

CdSe Magic-Size Clusters Deviate from Nanocrystal-Size Scalings for Ultrafast Intraband Relaxation and Auger Recombination
NANO LETTERS, 2025, 25, 50, 17325–17331
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.nanolett.5c04534

Deterministic Printing of Single Quantum Dots
ADVANCED MATERIALS, 2005, 38, 3, e13707
https://doi.org/10.1002/adma.202513707

Structure–property relationships for exciton polarons in organic–inorganic hybrid materials
JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C, 2025,13, 23416-23426
https://doi.org/10.1039/D5TC02604K