biostudies-literatureUnknown14(1)Chen Xthe National Key Research and Development Program of ChinaTo industrialize printed full-color displays based on quantum-dot light-emitting diodes, one must explore the degradation mechanism and improve the operational stability of blue electroluminescence. Here, we report that although state-of-the-art blue quantum dots, with monotonically-graded core/shell/shell structures, feature near-unity photoluminescence quantum efficiency and efficient charge injection, the significant surface-bulk coupling at the quantum-dot level, revealed by the abnormal dipolar excited state, magnifies the impact of surface localized charges and limits operational lifetimes. Inspired by this, we propose blue quantum dots with a large core and an intermediate shell featuring nonmonotonically-graded energy levels. This strategy significantly reduces surface-bulk couplinNature communications284https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9845229biostudies-literatureBlue light-emitting diodes based on colloidal quantum dots with reduced surface-bulk coupling.PMC9845229Zhou LWu LChen MLin XLi RSun XYan XHou WYang YCao WZhang XChen XChen SfalseBlue light-emitting diodes based on colloidal quantum dots with reduced surface-bulk coupling.To industrialize printed full-color displays based on quantum-dot light-emitting diodes, one must explore the degradation mechanism and improve the operational stability of blue electroluminescence. Here, we report that although state-of-the-art blue quantum dots, with monotonically-graded core/shell/shell structures, feature near-unity photoluminescence quantum efficiency and efficient charge injection, the significant surface-bulk coupling at the quantum-dot level, revealed by the abnormal dipolar excited state, magnifies the impact of surface localized charges and limits operational lifetimes. Inspired by this, we propose blue quantum dots with a large core and an intermediate shell featuring nonmonotonically-graded energy levels. This strategy significantly reduces surface-bulk couplin2023-01-01T00:00:00Z2023 Jan2026-06-06T20:24:12.211Z2025-04-19T12:37:27.293ZS-EPMC98452293665016110.1038/s41467-023-35954-x