Solvent-Assisted Tuning of the Size and Shape of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals via Redispersion Process at Ambient Condition

Promoting solution-phase superlattices of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals

We present a size-selective method for purifying and isolating perovskite CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) that preserves their as-synthesized surface chemistry and extremely high photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs). The isolation procedure is based on the stepwise evaporation of nonpolar co-solvents with high vapor pressure to promote precipitation of a size-selected product. As the sample fractions become more uniform in size, we observe that the NCs self-assemble into colloidally stable, solution-phase superlattices (SLs). Small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) and dynamic light scattering (DLS) studies show that the solution-phase SLs contain 1000s of NCs per supercrystal in a simple cubic, face-to-face packing arrangement. The SLs also display systematically faster radiative decay dynamics and improved PLQYs, as well as unique spectral absorption features likely resulting from inter-particle electronic coupling effects. This study is the first demonstration of solution-phase CsPbBr₃ SLs and highlights their potential for achieving collective optoelectronic phenomena previously observed from solid-state assemblies.

Cost-Effective Strategy for the Synthesis of Air-Stable CH3NH3PbX3 (X = Cl, Br, and I) Quantum Dots with Bright Emission

Lead halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs) are known as prospective optoelectronic device materials because of their excellent luminescence, extraordinary photoelectric performance, and specific octahedron framework. Herein, we report a cost-effective approach for synthesizing highly stable CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ QDs in low-polarity binary solvents without nitrogen protection. The CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ QDs are tunable from 1.2 to 4.2 nm by adjusting the proportion of oleic acid and oleylamine as capping ligands. The photoluminescence quantum yield of CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ QDs can reach 87.4%. The fluorescence can maintain over 80% of its earliest emission intensity under the atmosphere after 5 days, which is much better than that (∼10%) of QDs with ligand-assisted reprecipitation. The possible reaction mechanism of preparing CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ QDs was also addressed. Notably, such a strategy can be applied extensively in the preparation of other lead halide perovskite QDs. Furthermore, the as-prepared thick PMMA-coated CH₃NH₃PbBr₃ QDs were further conjoined with a red luminescence powder on a blue InGaN chip to obtain a powerful efficiency (45.4 lm W^-1) warm white light-emitting diode.

Lead-Free, Water-Stable A3 Bi2 I9 Perovskites: Crystal Growth and Blue-Emitting Quantum Dots [A=CH3 NH3 + , Cs+ , and (Rb0.05 Cs2.95 )+ ]

Despite the great success in the increase in the power conversion efficiency of lead halide perovskite solar cells, the toxicity of lead and the unstable nature of the materials are still major concerns for their wider implementation at the industrial level. Herein, large-size single crystals (SCs) are developed in HI solution by using a temperature lowering method and nanocrystals (NCs) of A₃ Bi₂ I₉ perovskites [where A=CH₃ NH₃ ⁺ (MA)⁺ , Cs⁺ , and (Rb_0.05 Cs_2.95 )⁺ ] are formed in ethanol (EtOH) and toluene (TOL). The stability of A₃ Bi₂ I₉ perovskite is investigated by immersing the SCs for 24 h and pellets for 12 h in water. Moreover, the A₃ Bi₂ I₉ perovskite NCs displays a promising photoluminescence quantum yield of 17.63 % and a long lifetime of 8.20 ns.

Polar Organic Solvent-Tolerant Perovskite Nanocrystals Permanently Ligated with Polymer Hairs via Star-like Molecular Bottlebrush Trilobe Nanoreactors

The key to exploiting perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) for long-term practical use in optoelectronic materials and devices lies in the ability to access stable NCs. Herein, we report the crafting of hairy perovskite NCs with a set of markedly improved stabilities by capitalizing on rationally designed star-like molecular bottlebrush trilobes as nanoreactors. An intriguing star-like molecular bottlebrush trilobe, poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate)-graft-(poly(acrylic acid)-block-partially cross-linked polystyrene (denoted PHEMA-g-(PAA-b-cPS)) is synthesized. Subsequently, it is employed as a polymeric nanoreactor to direct the growth of green-emitting all-inorganic perovskite CsPbBr₃ NCs intimately and stably tethered by partially cross-linked PS "hairs" (i.e., cPS-capped CsPbBr₃ NCs). The resulting CsPbBr₃ NCs exhibit an array of impressive stabilities against UV irradiation, moisture, heat, and water, due to permanently ligated hydrophobic cPS "hairs" on the surface of CsPbBr₃ NCs as a result of the original covalent bonding between PAA and cPS blocks. More importantly, cPS-capped CsPbBr₃ NCs manifest outstanding stability in various polar organic solvents. Such greatly improved stability can be attributed to the reduced surface defects enabled by the favorable interaction (i.e., coordination interaction and hydrogen bonding) between CsPbBr₃ NCs and polar solvents, which dominates over their dissolution by polar solvents. Such exceptional stabilities impart the use of cPS-capped CsPbBr₃ NCs as a selective probe for tracing the presence of Cl^-/I^- in polar organic solvents. The amphiphilic nonlinear block copolymer nanoreactor strategy can afford easy access to stable perovskite NCs of interest with controlled compositions and surface chemistry. They may find applications in solar cells, LEDs, photodetectors, lasers, bioimaging, biosensors, etc.

Impact of cesium in methylammonium lead bromide perovskites: insights into the microstructures, stability and photophysical properties

The thermal and moisture instabilities of pure organic lead halide perovskites are the foremost concerns towards the commercialization of perovskite solar cells, which can be avoided by introducing an inorganic cation, such as cesium ion (Cs+) at the A-site of the perovskite crystals. In this report, the impacts of substituted Cs+ cations on the inherent properties such as microstructures, morphology, and photophysics of pure methylammonium lead bromide (MAPbBr3) perovskites have been investigated. Successful formation of mixed MA1-xCsxPbBr3 phases (with 0 ≤ x ≤ 1.0) was predicted from the theoretically calculated tolerance factor, which was further supported by the appearance of sharp diffraction peaks in X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns without any additional peaks in the whole composition range. Substitution of Cs+ ions brings significant lattice contraction in the parent MAPbBr3 crystal due to the ion size disparity in the ionic radii between MA+ and Cs+ ions. We examine the vibrational signatures of the Raman bands related to the organic MA+ and infer the nature of interactions between the organic moiety and the surrounding inorganic cage as a function of Cs concentration. Raman spectroscopic analysis reveals structural distortion due to the altered H-bonding interaction of the N+-HBr- type between MA+ and the PbBr3- octahedral framework as a function of Cs content, which is responsible for the octahedral tilting in Cs substituted MAPbBr3. We also found hindered rotational motions of MA+ in the octahedral cage of mixed cationic systems, resulting in the orientational ordering of MA in the presence of Cs. These results certainly offer highly ordered mixed phase structures and promote superior thermal stability, as evident from the thermogravimetric analysis. The photoluminescence intensity becomes considerably enhanced at increased substitution levels, which highlights the capability of incorporated Cs+ cations in suppressing non-radiative recombination in a pure MA-based crystal, possibly related to the mitigation of trapping. The substitution of Cs+ with MAPbBr3 allows innovative strategies to improve the proficiency of tandem solar cells by modifying their structural and photophysical properties.

MA2CoBr4: lead-free cobalt-based perovskite for electrochemical conversion of water to oxygen

We have synthesized a lead-free stable organic–inorganic perovskite (MA₂CoBr₄) by using non-hazardous solvents such as methanol and ethanol, which are eco-friendly and safe to handle in comparison to DMF, toluene, etc.