Equilibriums in Formation of Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

CsPbBr3 Perovskite Crack Platelet Nanocrystals and Their Biexciton Generation

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals have been extensively studied in recent years as efficient optical materials for their bright and color-tunable emissions. However, these are mostly confined to their 3D nanocrystals and limited to the anisotropic nanostructures. By exploring the Cs-sublattice-induced metal(II) ion exchange with Pb(II), crack CsPbBr3 perovskite platelet nanocrystals having polar surfaces in all three directions are reported here, which remained different than reported standard square platelets. The crack platelets are also passivated with halides to enhance their brightness. Further, as these crack and passivated crack platelets have defects and polar surfaces, the exciton and biexciton generation in these platelets is investigated using femtosecond photoluminescence and transient absorption measurement at ambient as well as cryogenic temperatures, correlated with time-resolved single-particle photoluminescence spectroscopy, and compared with standard square platelets having nonpolar facets. These investigations revealed that the crack platelets and passivated crack platelets possess enhanced biexciton emission compared to square platelets due to the presence of polar surfaces in all three directions. These results provide insights into not only the design of the anisotropic nanostructures of ionic nanocrystals but also the possibility of tuning the single exciton to biexciton generation efficiency, which has potential applications in optoelectronic systems.

Highly Bright and Stable CsPbX3@Cs4PbX6 Hexagonal Nanoarchitectonics Created by Controlling Dissolution-Recrystallization of CsPbX3 Nanomaterials

CsPbBr3@Cs4PbBr6 hexagonal NCs with a bright photoluminescence (PL) peak of 456 nm are created through the dissolution-recrystallization of CsPbBr3 nanoplatelets. Small CsPbBr3 nanocrystals are encapsulated in hexagonal Cs4PbBr6 during recrystallization to form a core-shell structure and keep high brightness and stability. The recrystallization kinetics is systematically investigated to explore the roles of methyl acetate, oleylamine, and n-hexane. Result further indicates that core/shell NCs remained high PL under a variety of harsh conditions (e.g., light irradiation and heat treatment) because of Cs4PbX6 shell and the controlling of recrystallization. Their initial PL intensity is remained after 4 months of storage under ambient conditions and continuous exposure to UV lamp for 180 min. The bright PL is also maintained even treatment at 120 °C. To indicate the universality of this synthesis method, CsPbX3@Cs4PbX6 hexagonal NCs with different emission colors are fabricated by changing temperature, solvent viscosity, and precursors (e,g, oleylamine and halogens). These core-shell samples reveal bright and stable green, orange, and red PL. Because of its high stability, the core/shell NCs are dispersed in flexible films to create diverse patterns. The films also exhibit high brightness and excellent stability. This strategy opens a novel avenue for the application of perovskite nanomaterials in the display field.

Chemical transformation mechanism for blue-to-green emitting CsPbBr3 nanocrystals

Recently, metal-halide perovskites have rapidly emerged as efficient light emitters with near-unity quantum yield and size-dependent optical and electronic properties, which have attracted considerable attention from researchers. However, the ultrafast nucleation rate of ionic perovskite counterparts severely limits the in-depth exploration of the growth mechanism of colloidal nanocrystals (NCs). Herein, we used an inorganic ligand nitrosonium tetrafluoroborate (NOBF4) to trigger a slow post-synthesis transformation process, converting non-luminescent Cs4PbBr6 NCs into bright green luminescent CsPbBr3 NCs to elucidate the concrete transformation mechanism via four stages: (i) the dissociation of pristine NCs, (ii) the formation of Pb-Br intermediates, (iii) low-dimensional nanoplatelets (NPLs) and (iv) cubic CsPbBr3 NCs, corresponding to the blue-to-green emission process. The desorption and reorganization of organic ligands induced by NO+ and the involvement of BF4- in the ligand exchange process played pivotal roles in this dissolution-recrystallization of NCs. Moreover, controlled shape evolution from anisotropic NPLs to NCs was investigated through variations in the amount of NOBF4. This further validates that additives exert a decisive role in the symmetry and growth of nanostructured perovskite crystals during phase transition based on the ligand-exchange mechanism. This finding serves as a source of inspiration for the synthesis of highly luminescent CsPbBr3 NCs, providing valuable insights into the chemical mechanism in post-synthesis transformation.

Probing the Structural Degradation of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanocrystals in the Presence of H2O and H2S: How Weak Interactions and HSAB Matter

Structural degradation of all inorganic CsPbBr3 in the presence of moisture is considered as one of its major limitations to use as an active component in various light-harvesting and light-emitting devices. Herein, we used two similar molecules, H2O and H2S, with similar structures, to follow the decomposition mechanism of CsPbBr3 perovskite nanocrystals. Interestingly, H2O acts as a catalyst for the decomposition of CsPbBr3, which is in contrast to H2S. Our experimental observations followed by density functional theory (DFT) calculations showed that the water molecule is intercalated in the CsPbBr3 perovskite whereas H2S is adsorbed in the (100) planes of CsPbBr3 by a weak electrostatic interaction. According to Pearson's hard-soft acid-base theory, both cations present in CsPbBr3 prefer soft/intermediate bases. In the case of the water molecule, it lacks a soft base and thus it is not directly involved in the reaction whereas H2S can provide a soft base and thus it gets involved in the reaction. Understanding the mechanistic aspects of decomposition can give different methodologies for preventing such unwanted reactions.

Scientific Machine Learning of 2D Perovskite Nanosheet Formation

We apply a scientific machine learning (ML) framework to aid the prediction and understanding of nanomaterial formation processes via a joint spectral-kinetic model. We apply this framework to study the nucleation and growth of two-dimensional (2D) perovskite nanosheets. Colloidal nanomaterials have size-dependent optical properties and can be observed in situ, all of which make them a good model for understanding the complex processes of nucleation, growth, and phase transformation of 2D perovskites. Our results demonstrate that this model nanomaterial can form through two processes at the nanoscale: either via a layer-by-layer chemical exfoliation process from lead bromide nanocrystals or via direct nucleation from precursors. We utilize a phenomenological kinetic analysis to study the exfoliation process and scientific machine learning to study the direct nucleation and growth and discuss the circumstances under which it is more appropriate to use phenomenological or more complex machine learning models. Data for both analysis techniques are collected through in situ spectroscopy in a stopped flow chamber, incorporating over 500,000 spectra taken under more than 100 different conditions. More broadly, our research shows that the ability to utilize and integrate traditional kinetics and machine learning methods will greatly assist in the understanding of complex chemical systems.

Recent Advances and Perspectives of Metal Halide Perovskite Heteronanocrystals

Heteronanocrystals that combine multiple semiconductors into a nanoscale heterostructure possess excellent optical performance and flexibility in property engineering compared with their single-component counterparts. The successes in fabricating lead halide perovskite-based heteronanocrystals (PHNCs) have drastically improved the stability and tunability of the optical and electrical properties. However, the epitaxial growth of semiconductor materials on perovskite nanocrystals remains a fundamental challenge because of the mismatch in their surface structure and crystal growth kinetics. Here, we review recent progress in the development of PHNCs with emphasis on their synthesis methods and surface chemistry that led to new insights and reaction protocols for the design and fabrication of PHNCs. In addition, the optical features of different types of PHNCs and nanocomposites and their application perspectives are summarized. Finally, we conclude with a discussion of the remaining issues, challenges, and opportunities in epitaxial growth of Janus and core-shell structure PHNCs.

Hexahedron Symmetry and Multidirectional Facet Coupling of Orthorhombic CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals

The cube shape of orthorhombic phase CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals possesses the ability of selective facet packing that leads to 1D, 2D, and 3D nanostructures. In solution, their transformation with linear one-dimensional packing to nanorods/nanowires is extensively studied. Here, multifacet coupling in two directions of the truncated cube nanocrystals to rod couples and then to single-crystalline rectangular rods is reported. With extensive high-resolution transmission electron microscopy image analysis, length and width directions of these nanorods are derived. For the seed cube structures, finding {110} and {002} facets has remained difficult as these possess the hexahedron symmetry and their size remains smaller; however, for nanorods, these planes and the ⟨110⟩ and ⟨001⟩ directions are clearly identified. From nanocrystal to nanorod formation, the alignment directions are observed as random (as shown in the abstract graphic), and this could vary from one to the other rods obtained in the same batch of samples. Moreover, seed nanocrystal connections are derived here as not random and are rather induced by addition of the calculated amount of additional Pb(II). The same has also been extended to nanocubes obtained from different literature methods. It is predicted that a Pb-bromide buffer octahedra layer was created to connect two cubes, and this can connect along one, two, or even more facets of cubes simultaneously to connect other cubes and form different nanostructures. Hence, these results here provide some basic fundamentals of seed cube connections, the driving force to connect those, trapping the intermediate to visualize their alignments for attachments, and identifying and establishing the orthorhombic ⟨110⟩ and ⟨001⟩ directions of the length and width of CsPbBr₃ nanostructures.

Programmable precise kinetic control over crystal phase, size, and equilibrium in spontaneous metathesis reaction for Cs-Pb-Br nanostructure patterns at room temperature

Growth kinetics involved in spontaneous random clustering of perovskite precursors to a particular cesium-lead-bromide (Cs-Pb-Br) nanocrystal (NC) is a poorly understood phenomenon and its spectroscopic investigation is highly challenging. There is scarcely any method that has been optimized yet in which perovskites and their related NCs of a particular size can be grown, viewed, or tuned to another by reaction handling. Here, for the first time, we shed light on the largely overlooked process of growth kinetics of these transformations throughout the reaction trajectory of anionic [PbBr_x]^n- crystallization dictated by Cs⁺ cation and report a simple and direct approach to control the metathesis reaction between two precursors (specifically Cs⁺- and PbBr₂-associated oligomeric complexes) in one solvent at room temperature to monitor the NC growth characteristics in a stepwise manner even in the early stages of nucleation. Altering the molar ratio of the two precursors up to a factor of 10 leads to the formation of three prominent phases (CsPbBr₃, Cs₄PbBr₆, CsBr) as dictated by Cs⁺ to trigger distinct morphological forms (nanobelts, nanoplatelets, rhombohedral NCs, pseudo-rhombic NCs, spherical CsBr NCs, cubic CsBr NCs) including a transient phase that is formed out of linearly self-assembled CsPbBr₃ clusters. Our results pave the way towards understanding spontaneous crystallization to develop well-defined, hassle-free routes for diverse perovskite NCs in a simple yet controlled manner.

Nucleophile-Controlled Halide Release from the Substitution Reaction of Haloketone for Facet Tuning and Manganese Doping in CsPbCl3 Nanocrystals

Halide content of the reaction medium not only enhances the brightness of CsPbCl₃ nanocrystals but also, control the shape modulations as well as doping Mn(II) in these host nanocrystals. Correlating both the shape effect and doping, herein, an in situ reaction of nucleophile-controlled halide release was explored for monitoring facets modulations and doping in CsPbCl₃ nanocrystals. This was performed using alkyl amine as nucleophile which reacted with α-halo ketone, phenacyl chloride, to release chloride ions. Increase in amine concentration which released more Cl ions, reduced the possibility of shape transformation from perfect to truncated cubes during annealing. Similarly, for Mn(II) doping, the dopant photoluminescence intensity remained directly proportional to the amount of introduced amine nucleophiles. Quality of both doped and undoped nanocrystals obtained in this procedure remained unparallel and the method provided a strong correlation of rate of halide release with both facet modulations and doping in these nanocrystals.

What Happens When Halide Perovskites Meet with Water?

Halide perovskites are considered to be next-generation semiconductor materials with bright prospects to advance the technology of photonics and optoelectronics. Because of the intrinsic ionic feature, the interactions between perovskites and water induce serious stability issues, which has been one of the fundamental problems hindering the practical application of perovskites. The degradation of halide perovskites upon water exposure has been intensively studied, resulting in chemical insights into key processes, including hydration, phase transformation, decomposition, and dissolution. In this Perspective, we try to illustrate what happens when halide perovskites meet with water. We summarize the research progress regarding the understanding of these processes and discuss the principle of strategy design toward improved stability against water. In addition to the instability-related interactions, we also discuss the aqueous solution of perovskite precursors for fabricating perovskite-based functional materials. Hopefully, this Perspective can inspire more fundamental studies on the interactions between perovskites and water, such as spectroscopy and simulation, crystal structure and material characterizations, and solution chemistry and crystallization.

Transformation of Metal Halides to Facet-Modulated Lead Halide Perovskite Platelet Nanostructures on A-Site Cs-Sublattice Platform

The conversion of metal halides to lead halide perovskites with B-site metal ion diffusion has remained a convenient approach for obtaining shape-modulated perovskite nanocrystals. These transformations are typically observed for materials having a common A-site Cs-sublattice platform. However, due to the fast reactions, trapping the interconversion process has been difficult. In an exploration of the tetragonal phase of Cs₇Cd₃Br₁₃ platelets as the parent material, herein, a slower diffusion of Pb(II) leading to facet-modulated CsPbBr₃ platelets is reported. This was expected due to the presence of Cd(II) halide octahedra along with Cd(II) halide tetrahedra in the parent material. This helped in microscopically monitoring their phase transformation via an epitaxially related core/shell intermediate heterostructure. The transformation was also derived and predicted by density functional theory calculations. Further, when the reaction chemistry was tuned, core/shell platelets were transformed to different facet-modulated and hollow CsPbBr₃ platelet nanostructures. These platelets having different facets were also explored for catalytic CO₂ reduction, and their catalytic rates were compared.

Growth of Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals: Still in Mystery

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals with different halide ions can lead to color-tunable emissions in visible window with near-unity photoluminescence quantum yields. Extensive research has been carried out for optimizing the synthesis of these nanocrystals for the last 6 years, and thousands of research papers have been reported. However, due to the ionic nature, these nanocrystals formed instantaneously and hence, their growth kinetics could not be established yet. In most of the reactions, the formation mechanism typically followed one reaction for one size or shape principle, and their dimension tuning was achieved predominantly with thermodynamic control. There is no clear evidence yet on the decoupling growth from nucleations and monitoring their growth kinetics. Hence, the progress of understanding the fundamentals of crystal growth faced road blocks for these halide perovskite nanocrystals. Keeping eyes on all such reports on one reaction for one size and one reaction for tunable size of the most widely studied CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals, in this perspective, details of their size tunability are analyzed and reported. In addition, comparison of the classical mechanism, obstacles for establishing secondary growth, and possible road maps for controlling the kinetic parameters of formation of these nanocrystals are also discussed.