Nanoplatelets, also named quantum wells, exhibit outstanding optical performance due to the strong quantum confinement effects in the thickness direction. By controlling the thickness of nanoplatelets, the bandgap can be adjusted continuously, which indicates that the nanoplatelets have tunable emission and absorption spectra. Over the past few decades, a series of systematic works, such as synthesis methods, formation mechanisms, electronic structures, and applications, have been reported and have verified that nanoplatelets can serve as a potential emission material. This review article concludes and analyzes the current progress of research on nanoplatelets, mainly focusing on thickness control. Despite the maturity of the thickness control of zinc blende Cd-based nanoplatelets, Zn-based nanoplatelets still pose a challenge. Structural engineering not only improves the stability but also extends the application fields of nanoplatelets, such as light-emitting diodes, liquid crystal displays, lasers, luminescent solar concentrators, photodetectors, and bioimaging. However, the low external quantum efficiencies of blue and green light-emitting diodes limit the application of nanoplatelets.
Li et al. (Fri,) studied this question.