Purdue University engineers have developed a method to synthesize high-quality layered perovskite nanowires with large aspect ratios and tunable organic-inorganic chemical compositions. Led by Letian Dou, the team includes researchers Wenhao Shao and Jeong Hui Kim from the Davidson School of Chemical Engineering. This approach has produced nanowires with well-defined cavities and unique optical properties not seen in conventional perovskites, such as anisotropic emission polarization, low-loss waveguiding, and efficient light amplification.
The research on layered perovskite nanowires has been published in the journal Science, showcasing the innovative work done by the Purdue team. By using organic templating molecules to induce one-dimensional growth through secondary bonding interactions, the team has overcome the limitations of traditional methods like vapor-phase growth or lithographically templated solution phase growth. This new approach introduces in-plane hydrogen bonding that facilitates the growth of nanowires with tailorable lengths and high-quality cavities, providing a platform for studying lasing, light propagation, and excitonic behaviors in layered perovskites.
The Purdue method represents a significant advancement in the synthesis of 2D perovskites, offering greater design flexibility and scalability compared to previous techniques. The use of organic templating molecules allows for structural tunability of organic-inorganic hybrid semiconductors, merging features of both 1D and 2D nanomaterials into a single material system. This breakthrough opens up new possibilities in the field of nanomaterials and paves the way for further advancements in lasing performance and stability, as well as large-scale patterning for integrated photonic circuits.
Moving forward, the Purdue team is focused on developing new compositions and structures to enhance the lasing performance and stability of these nanowires. They are also exploring opportunities for collaboration with industry partners to scale up the chemistry and device applications of this technology. Funding support for the research has been provided by the Department of Energy and the National Science Foundation, and collaborations with other Purdue researchers as well as researchers from ShanghaiTech University are ongoing to further expand the potential applications of this innovation.
Industry partners interested in developing or commercializing this technology are encouraged to contact Will Buchanan, assistant director of business development and licensing at Purdue, to explore opportunities for partnership. The patent-pending method developed by the Purdue team has the potential to revolutionize the field of nanomaterials by providing a new and versatile platform for studying and engineering layered perovskite nanowires with unique optical properties and structural control. This work represents a significant step forward in the synthesis and application of innovative nanomaterials for future technological advancements.
