Evaluation of the combination of AgInS2 quantum dots with metal organic framework MOF-5 to improve fluorescence properties and thermal stability for white light-emitting diodes

White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) are promising alternatives to traditional lighting due to their energy efficiency, compact design, long lifespan, and environmental benefits. However, the practical application of quantum dots (QDs) in WLEDs faces significant challenges, including low luminous efficiency and thermal quenching. Herein, we propose a novel strategy to achieve QDs with excellent photoluminescence properties and thermal stability by building well-designed Zn-carboxylate-based porous coordination polymer (MOF-5) embedding AgInS2 (AIS) QDs nanocomposite structures via a microwave-assisted organic synthesis method, thereby enabling them to be practically adopted in newly warm WLED devices. This metal-organic framework MOF-5 provides spatial and electronic isolation for the QDs, effectively preventing fluorescence quenching and simultaneously increasing emission efficiency by generating a ZnS layer that passivates surface defects and reduces nonradiative recombination, thereby improving fluorescence quantum yield (PLQY) and thermal stability. The AIS@ZnS@MOF-5 nanocomposite exhibits a 12.6-fold increase in thermal stability and a 3.45-fold enhancement in PLQY, reaching 44.88%. The nanocomposite was further integrated with commercial green-emitting (Ba, Sr)Si2O2N2:Eu2+ phosphors as a color conversion layer in WLEDs. The resulting WLED device emits warm white light with a color render index (CRI) of 83.5 a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 3638 K, and luminous efficiency (LE) of 83.42 lm/W. This strategy effectively enhances both the luminescent efficiency and stability of AIS QDs, offering a significant step toward the development of QD-based WLEDs for practical applications.