Plasmonically Enhanced Colloidal Quantum Dot/Graphene Doped Polymer Random Lasers

An improvement in random lasers based on a colloidal quantum dot (QD)/graphene-doped polymer was observed and attributed to multiple light-scattering and graphene surface plasmon resonance. The emission characteristics of quantum dots doped with graphene oxide and reduced graphene oxide were compared. The QD/reduced graphene oxide hybrid exhibited a lower laser emission threshold (~460 µJ/cm2). The emission modes and thresholds were strongly dependent on both the graphene doping concentration and the external temperature. Decreased plasmon coupling was the primary reason for lower QD/graphene laser emission with increasing temperature. The optimum reduced graphene oxide concentration was 0.2 wt.%. This work provides a practical approach to optimizing the threshold and stability of random laser devices, with potential applications in displays, sensors, and anti-counterfeiting labels. © 2022 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.