KES13-1583
Development of Quantum Dot (QD)-Polymer Hybrids Towards High-Performance QD Light-Emitting diode Displays
Topic
S13. Korea-Germany Polymer Symposium 2026: “Pioneering the Future of Polymeric Materials and Bridging Innovation in Sustainable Technologies”
When and Where
Sep 29, 2026
11:55 - 12:20
Room 203
Session Chairs
Tae-Dong KIM
Eunkyoung Kim
Presenter(s)
Changhee Lee (Samsung Display Co.)
Co-Author(s)
Abstract
Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have outstanding optical properties including tunable emission wavelengths, high photoluminescence quantum yields, and narrow emission bandwidths, enabling displays with a wide color gamut, excellent color purity, and high energy efficiency [1]. In addition, their solution processability allows scalable fabrication by techniques such as an inkjet printing [2]. As a result, QD light-emitting diodes (QLEDs) are regarded as one of the most promising candidates for future display technologies.
A major challenge in QLED development is the realization of emissive layers that simultaneously achieve efficient charge transport, uniform QD dispersion, high-quality film formation, and long-term operational stability. A promising approach is the development of QD-polymer hybrid materials, in which functional polymers provide excellent film-forming ability and tunable electronic properties, while QDs deliver highly efficient and spectrally pure emission. Chemical grafting of polymer chains onto QD surfaces significantly enhances colloidal stability, suppresses nanoparticle aggregation, and enables homogeneous thin-film formation, resulting in improved charge balance and device performance [3-5].
These advances have been realized through the collaboration within the International Research Training Group (IRTG), which has established a highly productive research partnership between Korea and Germany. By integrating expertise in polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, device physics, and display engineering, the IRTG has established new design principles for QD-polymer hybrid materials and translated them into significant improvements in QLED performance.
At Samsung Display Co, we have made substantial progress toward fully inkjet-printed QLEDs through strategic ligand engineering, optimized ink formulations, and precise control of printing processes [2, 6]. This talk demonstrates how fundamental research within the Korea-Germany IRTG collaboration is driving the development of high-performance, printable QLEDs as next-generation display technologies.
References:
[1] J. Kim, J. Roh, M. Park, and C. Lee, Advanced Materials 36 (20), 2212220 (2024).
[2] C. Han, S. Lee, Y. Ko, J. Cho, Y. K. Jung, D. J. Kang, D. Kwak, S. Kim, J. Ha, Y. Yoon, C. Lee, Journal of the Society for Information Display 33 (2), 53 (2025).
[3] M. Zorn, W. K. Bae, J. Kwak, H. Lee, C. Lee, R. Zentel, K. Char, ACS Nano 3 (5), 1063-1068 (2009).
[4] J. Kwak, W. K. Bae, M. Zorn, H. Woo, H. Yoon, J. Lim, S. W. Kang, S. Weber, H.‐J. Butt, R. Zentel, S. Lee, K. Char, C. Lee, Advanced Materials 21 (48), 5022-5026 (2009).
[5] A. Fokina, Y. Lee, J. H. Chang, M. Park, Y. Sung, W. K. Bae, K. Char, C. Lee, R. Zentel, Advanced Materials Interfaces 3 (18), 1600279 (2016).
[6] J. Ha, Y. K. Jung, S. Lee, C. Han, H. Kim, M. Park, S. Kim, C. Lee, Journal of the Society for Information Display 34 (5), 490-497 (2026).
A major challenge in QLED development is the realization of emissive layers that simultaneously achieve efficient charge transport, uniform QD dispersion, high-quality film formation, and long-term operational stability. A promising approach is the development of QD-polymer hybrid materials, in which functional polymers provide excellent film-forming ability and tunable electronic properties, while QDs deliver highly efficient and spectrally pure emission. Chemical grafting of polymer chains onto QD surfaces significantly enhances colloidal stability, suppresses nanoparticle aggregation, and enables homogeneous thin-film formation, resulting in improved charge balance and device performance [3-5].
These advances have been realized through the collaboration within the International Research Training Group (IRTG), which has established a highly productive research partnership between Korea and Germany. By integrating expertise in polymer chemistry, nanomaterials, device physics, and display engineering, the IRTG has established new design principles for QD-polymer hybrid materials and translated them into significant improvements in QLED performance.
At Samsung Display Co, we have made substantial progress toward fully inkjet-printed QLEDs through strategic ligand engineering, optimized ink formulations, and precise control of printing processes [2, 6]. This talk demonstrates how fundamental research within the Korea-Germany IRTG collaboration is driving the development of high-performance, printable QLEDs as next-generation display technologies.
References:
[1] J. Kim, J. Roh, M. Park, and C. Lee, Advanced Materials 36 (20), 2212220 (2024).
[2] C. Han, S. Lee, Y. Ko, J. Cho, Y. K. Jung, D. J. Kang, D. Kwak, S. Kim, J. Ha, Y. Yoon, C. Lee, Journal of the Society for Information Display 33 (2), 53 (2025).
[3] M. Zorn, W. K. Bae, J. Kwak, H. Lee, C. Lee, R. Zentel, K. Char, ACS Nano 3 (5), 1063-1068 (2009).
[4] J. Kwak, W. K. Bae, M. Zorn, H. Woo, H. Yoon, J. Lim, S. W. Kang, S. Weber, H.‐J. Butt, R. Zentel, S. Lee, K. Char, C. Lee, Advanced Materials 21 (48), 5022-5026 (2009).
[5] A. Fokina, Y. Lee, J. H. Chang, M. Park, Y. Sung, W. K. Bae, K. Char, C. Lee, R. Zentel, Advanced Materials Interfaces 3 (18), 1600279 (2016).
[6] J. Ha, Y. K. Jung, S. Lee, C. Han, H. Kim, M. Park, S. Kim, C. Lee, Journal of the Society for Information Display 34 (5), 490-497 (2026).
