Colloidal quantum dots (QDs) have emerged as versatile and efficient scaffolds to absorb light and then manipulate, direct, and convert that energy into other useful forms of energy. The QD characteristics (optical, electrical, physical) can be readily tuned via solution phase chemistries in order to affect the flow of energy, initially contained in the photons of light, using rational design. Key parameters under control are the size and shape, internal composition (e.g., alloys, core/shell heterostructures, semiconductor/metal interfaces), surface composition (ligand chemistries), and film composition (e.g., QD–QD electronic coupling, bulk heterostructure formation, QD/biological interfaces). In this review, we summarize recent progress using QDs in energy conversion architectures with the express goal of transforming optical energy to other forms of energy, including electricity, photons with different energies, and chemical bonds, i.e., photovoltaics, photon up- or down-conversion, and photocatalytic process, respectively. The advantages of using QDs in absorbing and then directing and converting optical energy over molecular chromophores are highlighted. Finally, we discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities associated with using QDs for absorbing, manipulating and directing the flow of energy.

中文翻译：

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使用量子点转换能量

胶体量子点（QD）已经成为一种通用且高效的支架，可以吸收光，然后将其操纵，引导并将其转换为其他有用的能量形式。通过合理的设计，可以很容易地通过溶液相化学来调节QD特性（光学，电气，物理），以影响最初包含在光子中的能量流。受控制的关键参数是尺寸和形状，内部成分（例如合金，核/壳异质结构，半导体/金属界面），表面成分（配体化学性质）和膜成分（例如，QD–QD电子耦合，整体异质结构形成，QD /生物界面）。在这次审查中，我们使用的能源转换架构与量子点转化光能其他形式的能源，包括电力，具有不同能量的光子，和化学键的明确目标，总结最近取得的进展，即，光电，光子上调或下调转化和光催化过程。突出了在分子生色团上使用QD吸收，然后引导和转换光能的优势。最后，我们讨论与使用量子点吸收，操纵和引导能量流相关的持续挑战和机遇。