High-efficiency blue CdSe/ZnS quantum dots (QDs) have been synthesized for display application with emission peak over 460 nm with the purpose of reducing the harmful effect of short-wavelength light to human eyes. To reach a better charge balance, different size ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) were synthesized and electrical properties of ZnO NPs were analyzed. Quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) based on as-prepared blue QDs and optimized ZnO NPs have been successfully fabricated. Using small-size ZnO NPs, we have obtained a maximum current efficiency (CE) of 14.1 cd A-1 and a maximum external quantum efficiency (EQE) of 19.8% for QLEDs with an electroluminescence (EL) peak at 468 nm. To the best of our knowledge, this EQE is the highest value in comparison to the previous reports. The CIE 1931 color coordinates (0.136, 0.078) of this device are quite close to the standard (0.14, 0.08) of National Television System Committee (NTSC) 1953. The color saturation blue QLEDs show great promise for use in next-generation full-color displays.
Keywords: CIE 1931 color coordinates; EQE; high efficiency; light-emitting diodes; quantum dots.