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.
Recent RT-1 Publications

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

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