-Achieved stable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) from achiral perovskite nanocrystals
-Presents potential for future optoelectronic and semiconductor-integrated devices
-Published in Advanced Functional Materials (Impact Factor 19.1)

▲ From left: Sang-Eun Cho, Department of System Semiconductor; Atanu Jana; and Devlinadas, PhD candidate

Dongguk University (President Jae-Woong Yoon) announced that Professor Sang-Eun Cho from the School of System Semiconductor Engineering and his research team have successfully developed a stable and tunable circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) material that emits across the full visible spectrum—based on achiral perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs).

The study, titled “Ultrastable Perovskite Encased in a Helical Cage for Tunable Full-Color Mirror-Image Circularly Polarized Luminescence,” was recently published online in Advanced Functional Materials (Impact Factor 19.1), a prestigious journal in the fields of materials science and nanotechnology. The article is scheduled to appear in the November 2025 print issue.

The research team developed a novel polymer-capped PNC composite, integrating a surface adsorption and ion exchange strategy using two-dimensional ZrH₂P₂O₈ nanosheets. This approach simultaneously addressed two major limitations of existing CPL materials—low photoluminescence efficiency and poor stability. As a result, the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of the nanocrystal composite was dramatically improved from 30.9% to 88.57%.

Furthermore, by embedding the stabilized PNCs into a chiral polymer matrix, the team successfully demonstrated clear mirror-image CPL signals in both solution and solid states. This achievement represents a rare example of inducing strong CPL behavior from inherently achiral materials, and holds significant promise for applications in next-generation displays, quantum communication, optical memory devices, and bio-imaging technologies.

Professor Cho stated, “Our work demonstrates that even achiral perovskite nanocrystals can exhibit highly stable and efficient CPL characteristics. This material offers a strong foundation for advancing future optoelectronic and semiconductor-integrated technologies where both stability and emission efficiency are critical.”