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Semiconducting lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) are regarded as promising candidates for next-generation optoelectronic devices due to their solution processability and outstanding optoelectronic properties. While the field of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) and photovoltaics (PVs), two prime examples of optoelectronic devices, has recently seen a multitude of efforts towards high-performance PNC-based devices, realizing both devices with high efficiencies and stabilities through a single PNC processing strategy has remained a challenge. Herein we demonstrate that diphenylproplyammonium (DPAI) surface ligands, found through a judicious ab initio based ligand search, provide a solution to this problem. Our universal PNC ink with DPAI ligands, prepared through a solution-phase ligand exchange process, simultaneously allows single-step processed LED and PV devices with peak electroluminescence external quantum efficiency of 17.00% and power conversion efficiency of 14.92% (stabilized output 14.00%), respectively. We reveal that a careful design of the aromatic rings such as in DPAI is the decisive factor in bestowing such high performances, ease of solution processing, and improved phase stability up to 120 days. Our work illustrates the power of ligand design in producing nanocrystal ink formulations for high-throughput production of optoelectronic devices; it also paves a path for "dual-mode" devices with both PV and LED functionalities. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.

Lead-free, non-toxic transition metal-based phosphorescent organic–inorganic hybrid (OIH) compounds are promising for next-generation flat-panel displays and solid-state light-emitting devices. In the present study, we fabricate highly efficient phosphorescent green-light-emitting diodes (PHOLEDs) using the lead-free, non-toxic, zero-dimensional OIH compound [(H2CCHCH2)(C6H5)3P]2MnBr4 (1), which exhibits an emission peak at 516 nm and a long lifetime of 441 μs. The long lifetime indicates the phosphorescent emissive nature of 1. Density functional theory calculations confirm that the narrow green emission from 1 is due to the highly localized electronic states of the valence and conduction bands. A flexible green-light-emitting phosphorescent substrate is successfully fabricated from 1 using a nylon membrane, indicating that 1 has a significant potential for use in flexible optoelectronic devices. By engineering the organic hole and electron transport layers, we achieve a highly efficient all-vacuum-deposited PHOLED with a current efficiency of 24.71 cd A−1, a power efficiency of 20.61 lm W−1, and an external quantum efficiency of 7.12%. Together, our findings will pave the way for the development of high-performance Mn(II)-based LEDs.

Complete surface passivation of colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) and their strong electronic coupling are key factors toward high-performance CQD-based photovoltaics (CQDPVs). Also, the CQD matrices must be protected from oxidative environments, such as ambient air and moisture, to guarantee air-stable operation of the CQDPVs. Herein, we devise a complementary and effective approach to reconstruct the oxidized CQD surface using guanidinium and pseudohalide. Unlike conventional halides, thiocyanate anions provide better surface passivation with effective replacement of surface oxygen species and additional filling of defective sites, whereas guanidinium cations promote the construction of epitaxial perovskite bridges within the CQD matrix and augment electronic coupling. Additionally, we replace a defective 1,2-ethanedithiol-treated CQD hole transport layer (HTL) with robust polymeric HTLs, based on a judicious consideration of the energy level alignment established at the CQD/HTL interface. These efforts collectively result in high-performance and stable CQDPVs with photocurrents over 30 mA cm

Amphibian populations have been decreasing in urban freshwater systems in Korea. To elucidate the biological safety of treated wastewater effluent (TWE) in the Tancheon basin, the capital area of Korea, a 7-d–exposure Bombina orientalis embryo developmental toxicity assay was examined during the breeding season. In March, there were no significant differences in embryonic survival or malformation among the water samples. In July, following monsoon precipitation, embryonic lethality in TWE was significantly higher than in the upstream water sample. Malformation in TWE and TWE-mixed waters was significantly higher than in the control and upstream water samples. Tail muscle height of tadpoles also significantly decreased in TWE and TWE-mixed waters. Heavy metals were not detected in any samples. Total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and chemical oxygen demand in TWE markedly increased together with a decrease in dissolved oxygen in July. The increase in organic and inorganic loading following precipitation could have made TWE and TWE-mixed water not suitable for embryonic development. Though being managed based on physicochemical criteria, the water quality of TWE may not be sufficient to assure normal development of amphibian embryos. An amphibian developmental toxicity assay would be helpful for the water-quality management of TWE and urban freshwater systems in Korea. Environ Toxicol Chem 2014;33:954–961. © 2014 SETAC

Amphibian populations have been decreasing in urban freshwater systems in Korea. To elucidate the biological safety of treated wastewater effluent (TWE) in the Tancheon basin, the capital area of Korea, a 7-d-exposure Bombina orientalis embryo developmental toxicity assay was examined during the breeding season. In March, there were no significant differences in embryonic survival or malformation among the water samples. In July, following monsoon precipitation, embryonic lethality in TWE was significantly higher than in the upstream water sample. Malformation in TWE and TWE-mixed waters was significantly higher than in the control and upstream water samples. Tail muscle height of tadpoles also significantly decreased in TWE and TWE-mixed waters. Heavy metals were not detected in any samples. Total nitrogen, total phosphorous, and chemical oxygen demand in TWE markedly increased together with a decrease in dissolved oxygen in July. The increase in organic and inorganic loading following precipitation could have made TWE and TWE-mixed water not suitable for embryonic development. Though being managed based on physicochemical criteria, the water quality of TWE may not be sufficient to assure normal development of amphibian embryos. An amphibian developmental toxicity assay would be helpful for the water-quality management of TWE and urban freshwater systems in Korea.