Methods for Encapsulating Nanocrystals and Resulting Compositions

Abstract

The present invention provides methods for hermetically sealing luminescent nanocrystals, as well as compositions and containers comprising hermetically scaled luminescent nanocrystals. By hermetically sealing the luminescent nanocrystals, enhanced lifetime and luminescence can be achieved.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A composition comprising:
 luminescent core-shell nanocrystals;   an inorganic layer covering each of the luminescent core-shell nanocrystals; and   a barrier layer, disposed on the inorganic layer, configured to hermetically seal the composition.   
     
     
         2 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent core-shell nanocrystals are separated from each other by the inorganic layer. 
     
     
         3 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent nanocrystals are selected from the group consisting of CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS, and InP/ZnS. 
     
     
         4 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the luminescent nanocrystals are between about 1-10 nm in size. 
     
     
         5 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic layer comprises silicon. 
     
     
         6 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the inorganic layer comprises silica or titania. 
     
     
         7 . The composition of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier layer comprises SiO 2 , TiO 2 , or AlO 2 . 
     
     
         8 . A method comprising:
 forming a composition comprising:
 luminescent core-shell nanocrystals coated with an inorganic layer, and 
 an inorganic layer covering each of the luminescent core-shell nanocrystals; and 
   disposing a barrier layer on the inorganic layer to hermetically seal the composition.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the luminescent core-shell nanocrystals are separated from each other by the inorganic layer. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the luminescent nanocrystals are selected from the group consisting of CdSe/ZnS, CdSe/CdS, and InP/ZnS. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the luminescent nanocrystals are between about 1-10 nm in size. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inorganic layer comprises silicon. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the inorganic layer comprises silica or titanic. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the barrier layer comprises SiO 2 , TiO 2 , or AlO 2 .