Turning recycled nanoparticles into new lasers

Using this recycling process, the researchers demonstrated recovery of 85% of the quantum dots from initial supraparticles. The recycled quantum dots retained a photoluminescence quantum yield of 83 ± 16%, compared to 86 ± 9% for the initial batch. They successfully used the recycled nanoparticles to create lasers that performed similarly to their precursors.

“The discoveries about quantum dot behavior over the past 40 years, culminating in last year’s Nobel Prize in Chemistry, allowed us to understand each stage of the recycling process at a fundamental level,” said Downie. “This enabled us to develop a simple method that is practical even for labs that lack specialized equipment like centrifuges, scrubbers or magnetic field generators.”