Solution-Processed Quantum Dot Micropatterns: From Liquid Manipulation to High-Performance Quantum Dot Light-Emitting Diode Devices

Micropatterning quantum dots (QDs) is a key process for making high-performance quantum dot light-emitting diodes (QLEDs), which have shown advantages in lighting and displays. So far, various solution processes have been developed for fabricating micropatterned QDs, where both uniform distribution and well-defined edges are desirable. Very recently, with the flourishing of near-eye displays, high-resolution QD micropatterns appear particularly attractive, which regretfully have progressed poorly due to the extremely complicated liquid dynamics at microscale. Here, we systematically discussed several representative solution strategies for micropatterning QDs, including transfer printing, photolithography, inkjet printing, and structure-confined liquid transfer. The fundamentals involved in liquid manipulation and the applications in QLEDs were summarized, as well as the remaining challenges and the possible solutions from the viewpoint of making micropatterned QDs with high uniformity, high resolution, and multicolor. We believe that the perspective would inspire the fabrication of high-quality micropatterned QDs and QLEDs.