Morphology Evolution and Degradation of CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals under Blue Light-Emitting Diode Illumination

Highly Stable CsPbBr3@MoS2 Nanostructures: Synthesis and Optoelectronic Properties Toward Implementation into Solar Cells

Halide perovskites (HPs) have gained significant interest in the scientific and technological sectors due to their unique optical, catalytic, and electrical characteristics. However, the HPs are prone to decomposition when exposed to air, oxygen, or heat. The instability of HP materials limits their commercialization, prompting significant efforts to address and overcome these limitations. Transition metal dichalcogenides, such as MoS2, are chemically stable and are suitable for electronic, optical, and catalytic applications. Moreover, it can be used as a protective media or shell for other nanoparticles. In this study, a novel CsPbBr3@MoS2 core-shell nanostructure (CS-NS) is successfully synthesized by enveloping CsPbBr3 within a MoS2 shell for the first time. Significant stability of CS-NSs dispersed in polar solvents for extended periods is also demonstrated. Remarkably, the hybrid CS-NS exhibits an absorption of MoS2 and quenching of the HP's photoluminescence, implying potential charge or energy transfer from HPs to MoS2. Using finite difference time domain simulations, it is found that the CS-NSs can be utilized to produce efficient solar cells. The addition of a MoS2 shell enhances the performance of CS-NS-based solar cells by 220% compared to their CsPbBr3 counterparts. The innovative CS-NS represents important progress in harnessing HPs for photovoltaic and optoelectronic applications.

Ligand Engineering of Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskite Quantum Dots toward High and Stable Photoluminescence

The ligand engineering of inorganic lead halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) is an indispensable strategy to boost their photoluminescence stability, which is pivotal for optoelectronics applications. CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) PQDs exhibit exceptional optical properties, including high color purity and tunable bandgaps. Despite their promising characteristics, environmental sensitivity poses a challenge to their stability. This article reviews the solution-based synthesis methods with ligand engineering. It introduces the impact of factors like humidity, temperature, and light exposure on PQD's instability, as well as in situ and post-synthesis ligand engineering strategies. The use of various ligands, including X- and L-type ligands, is reviewed for their effectiveness in enhancing stability and luminescence performance. Finally, the significant potential of ligand engineering for the broader application of PQDs in optoelectronic devices is also discussed.

Color-Tunable Perovskite Nanomaterials with Intense Circularly Polarized Luminescence and Tailorable Compositions

The ability to design halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) offers exceptional potential in photonic technologies. Despite recent inspiring advances, the creation of PNCs with full-color tailorablity, outstanding CPL, and long-term stability remains a substantial challenge. Herein, a robust strategy to craft CPL-active PNCs is reported, exhibiting appealing full-color tunable wavelengths, enhanced CPL, and prolonged stability. In contrast to conventional methodologies, this strategy utilizes chiral nematic mesoporous silica (CNMS) as host to render in situ confined growth of diverse achiral PNCs. By strategically engineering photonic bandgap, adjusting loading amount of PNCs, and manipulating cations/anion compositions of PNCs, robust CPL responses with tunable wavelength and intensity are successfully obtained. The resulting PNCs-CNMS achieves stable CPL emissions with full-color tunability and impressive luminescent dissymmetric factors up to -0.17. Remarkably, silica-based hosts as a protective barrier confer exceptional resistance to humidity, photodegradation, and thermal stability, even up to 95 °C. Furthermore, the ability to achieve reversible CPL switching within PNCs-CNMS is attainable by leveraging the responsiveness of CNMS matrix or dynamic behavior of impregnated PNCs. Additionally, circularly polarized light-emitting diode devices based on PNCs-CNMS can be conveniently fabricated. This research affords a powerful platform for designing functional chiroptical materials.

Stability Enhancement in All-Inorganic Perovskite Light Emitting Diodes via Dual Encapsulation

Addressing the challenge of lighting stability in perovskite white light emitting diodes (WLEDs) is crucial for their commercial viability. CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I, or mixed) nanocrystals (NCs) are promising for next-generation lighting due to their superior optical and electronic properties. However, the inherent soft material structure of CsPbX3 NCs is particularly susceptible to the elevated temperatures associated with prolonged WLED operation. Additionally, these NCs face stability challenges in high humidity environments, leading to reduced lighting performance. This study introduces a two-step dual encapsulation method, resulting in CsPbBr3@SiO2/Al2SiO5 composite fibers (CFs) with enhanced optical stability under extreme conditions. In testing, WLEDs incorporating these CFs, even under prolonged operation at high power (100 mA for 9 h), maintain consistent electroluminescence (EL) intensity and optoelectronic parameters, with surface temperatures reaching 84.2 °C. Crucially, when subjected to 85 °C and 85% relative humidity for 200 h, the WLEDs preserve 97% of their initial fluorescence efficiency. These findings underscore the efficacy of the dual encapsulation strategy in significantly improving perovskite material stability, marking a significant step toward their commercial application in optoelectronic lighting.

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.

Ultra-stable and highly-bright CsPbBr3 perovskite/silica nanocomposites for miRNA detection based on digital single-nanoparticle counting

Single-nanoparticle counting (SNPC) based on fluorescent tag (FT) stands out for its capacity to achieve amplification-free and sensitive detection of biomarkers. The stability and luminescence of FT are important to the sensitivity and reliability of SPNC. In this work, we developed novel perovskite/silica nanocomposites by in-situ nanoconfined growth of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals inside mesoporous structure of silica nanoparticles. PbBr(OH) was formed in an alkaline-assisted reaction triggered by water on the surface of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals. The as-obtained nanocomposites, featuring dual protection from silica matrix and PbBr(OH), exhibited high absolute photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 86.5% and demonstrated outstanding PL stability confronting with water, heat, ultrasound and UV-irradiation, which is desired by SNPC-based biosensor. Thereafter, these nanocomposites were used to construct an operationally friendly SNPC assay for the amplification-free quantification of cancer-associated miRNA. Quantitative detection of miRNA could be accomplished by directly counting the number of nanocomposites using a flow cytometer in this assay. This strategy did not ask for multiple washing steps and demonstrated specific and sensitive detection of miRNA 21, which exhibited a dynamic range of 1-1000 pM and limit of detection of 79 amol. The employment of highly stable perovskite/silica nanocomposites improved the test reliability and stability of SNPC, revealing the vast potential of perovskites in biosensing.

Near-Infrared Light Emitting Metal Halides: Materials, Mechanisms, and Applications

Near-Infrared (NIR) light emitting metal halides are emerging as a new generation of optical materials owing to their appealing features, which include low-cost synthesis, solution processability, and adjustable optical properties. NIR-emitting perovskite-based light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have reached an external quantum efficiency (EQE) of over 20% and a device stability of over 10,000 h. Such results have sparked an interest in exploring new NIR metal halide emitters. In this review, several different types of NIR-emitting metal halides, including lead/tin bromide/iodide perovskites, lanthanide ions doped/based metal halides, double perovskites, low dimensional hybrid and Bi3+/Sb3+/Cr3+ doped metal halides, are summarized, and their recent advancement is assessed. The characteristics and mechanisms of narrow-band or broadband NIR luminescence in all these materials are discussed in detail. Also, the various applications of NIR-emitting metal halides are highlighted and an outlook for the field is provided.

Sensing Utilities of Cesium Lead Halide Perovskites and Composites: A Comprehensive Review

Recently, the utilization of metal halide perovskites in sensing and their application in environmental studies have reached a new height. Among the different metal halide perovskites, cesium lead halide perovskites (CsPbX3; X = Cl, Br, and I) and composites have attracted great interest in sensing applications owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Most CsPbX3 nanostructures and composites possess great structural stability, luminescence, and electrical properties for developing distinct optical and photonic devices. When exposed to light, heat, and water, CsPbX3 and composites can display stable sensing utilities. Many CsPbX3 and composites have been reported as probes in the detection of diverse analytes, such as metal ions, anions, important chemical species, humidity, temperature, radiation photodetection, and so forth. So far, the sensing studies of metal halide perovskites covering all metallic and organic-inorganic perovskites have already been reviewed in many studies. Nevertheless, a detailed review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites could be helpful for researchers who are looking for innovative designs using these nanomaterials. Herein, we deliver a thorough review of the sensing utilities of CsPbX3 and composites, in the quantitation of metal ions, anions, chemicals, explosives, bioanalytes, pesticides, fungicides, cellular imaging, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), toxic gases, humidity, temperature, radiation, and photodetection. Furthermore, this review also covers the synthetic pathways, design requirements, advantages, limitations, and future directions for this material.

Organosilicon-Based Ligand Design for High-Performance Perovskite Nanocrystal Films for Color Conversion and X-ray Imaging

Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) bear a huge potential for widespread applications, such as color conversion, X-ray scintillators, and active laser media. However, the poor intrinsic stability and high susceptibility to environmental stimuli including moisture and oxygen have become bottlenecks of PNC materials for commercialization. Appropriate barrier material design can efficiently improve the stability of the PNCs. Particularly, the strategy for packaging PNCs in organosilicon matrixes can integrate the advantages of inorganic-oxide-based and polymer-based encapsulation routes. However, the inert long-carbon-chain ligands (e.g., oleic acid, oleylamine) used in the current ligand systems for silicon-based encapsulation are detrimental to the cross-linking of the organosilicon matrix, resulting in performance deficiencies in the nanocrystal films, such as low transparency and large surface roughness. Herein, we propose a dual-organosilicon ligand system consisting of (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane (APTES) and (3-aminopropyl)triethoxysilane with pentanedioic anhydride (APTES-PA), to replace the inert long-carbon-chain ligands for improving the performance of organosilicon-coated PNC films. As a result, strongly fluorescent PNC films prepared by a facile solution-casting method demonstrate high transparency and reduced surface roughness while maintaining high stability in various harsh environments. The optimized PNC films were eventually applied in an X-ray imaging system as scintillators, showing a high spatial resolution above 20 lp/mm. By designing this promising dual organosilicon ligand system for PNC films, our work highlights the crucial influence of the molecular structure of the capping ligands on the optical performance of the PNC film.

Stable Perovskite Quantum Dots Light-Emitting Diodes with Efficiency Exceeding 24

Perovskite nanocrystals for light-emitting diodes are often synthesized by uncontrollable metathesis reactions, suffering from low product yield, nonuniform growth, and poor stability. Herein, by controlling the nucleation kinetics with high dissociation constant (Ka or Kb) acids or bases, homogenous one-route nucleation of perovskite nanocrystals is achieved as the cluster intermediates are eliminated. The stable, shape uniform, and narrow size distribution green nanocrystals are synthesized. The perovskite nanocrystal film exhibites excellent stability in 80% humidity air with only a 10% photoluminescence intensity drop after 16 h. Efficient and stable electroluminescence is demonstrated with an FWHM of 16 nm at 517 nm. The green devices shows a peak EQE of 24.13% with a lifetime T50 of 54 min at 10 000 cd m-2 .

Impact of core-shell perovskite nanocrystals for LED applications: successes, challenges, and prospects

Perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) synthesized by colloidal solution methods are an outstanding case of study due to their remarkable optical features, different from their bulk counterpart, such as a tuneable band gap and narrower photoluminescence emission, altered by the size and shape. However, the stability of these systems needs to be improved to consolidate their application in optoelectronic devices. Improved PeNC quality is associated with a less defective structure, as it affects negatively the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), due to the essential, but at the same time labile interaction between the colloidal capping ligands and the perovskite core. In this sense, it would be extremely effective to obtain an alternative method to stabilize the PeNC phases and passivate the surface, in order to improve both stability and optical properties. This objective can be reached exploiting the structural benefits of the interaction between the perovskite and other organic or inorganic materials with a compatible structure and optical properties and limiting the optical drawbacks. This perspective contemplates different combinations of core/shell PeNCs and the critical steps during the synthesis, including drawbacks and challenges based on their optical properties. Additionally, it provides insights for future light emitting diode (LED) applications and advanced characterization. Finally, the existing challenges and opportunities for core/shell PeNCs are discussed.

High-performance electrochemiluminescence sensors based on ultra-stable perovskite quantum dots@ZIF-8 composites for aflatoxin B1 monitoring in corn samples

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that is prone to contaminate corns brings a serious threat to human health. Therefore, it is of great significance to construct novel detection methods for AFB1 tracing. Here, methylamine perovskite quantum dots (MP QDs) encapsulated by ZIF-8 metal-organic frameworks (MP QDs@ZIF-8) were prepared and then ultra-stable electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors were developed. By the confinement of cavities structure, multiple MP QDs were crystallized and embedded inside ZIF-8 to form MP QDs@ZIF-8, achieving stable and robust ECL responds in aqueous environment. Further combined with AFB1-imprinted polymer, the constructed ECL sensor showed good selectivity and ultra-sensitivity (the detection limit was 3.5 fg/mL, S/N = 3) with a wide linear range from 11.55 fg/mL to 20 ng/mL for AFB1 quantification. Satisfactory recoveries in corn samples indicated the reliable practicability of the proposed sensor for AFB1 assay. This work provided a novel pathway in designing high-performance ECL sensing platform for food safety.

Advancements in Perovskite Nanocrystal Stability Enhancement: A Comprehensive Review

Over the past decade, perovskite technology has been increasingly applied in solar cells, nanocrystals, and light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have attracted significant interest in the field of optoelectronics owing to their exceptional optoelectronic properties. Compared with other common nanocrystal materials, perovskite nanomaterials have many advantages, such as high absorption coefficients and tunable bandgaps. Owing to their rapid development in efficiency and huge potential, perovskite materials are considered the future of photovoltaics. Among different types of PNCs, CsPbBr₃ perovskites exhibit several advantages. CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals offer a combination of enhanced stability, high photoluminescence quantum yield, narrow emission bandwidth, tunable bandgap, and ease of synthesis, which distinguish them from other PNCs, and make them suitable for various applications in optoelectronics and photonics. However, PNCs also have some shortcomings: they are highly susceptible to degradation caused by environmental factors, such as moisture, oxygen, and light, which limits their long-term performance and hinders their practical applications. Recently, researchers have focused on improving the stability of PNCs, starting with the synthesis of nanocrystals and optimizing (i) the external encapsulation of crystals, (ii) ligands used for the separation and purification of nanocrystals, and (iii) initial synthesis methods or material doping. In this review, we discuss in detail the factors leading to instability in PNCs, introduce stability enhancement methods for mainly inorganic PNCs mentioned above, and provide a summary of these approaches.

Enhanced and stabilized photoluminescence of perovskite cesium lead bromide nanocubes through ordered assemblies

This work clarified the effects of self-assembly of perovskite cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) nanocubes (NCs) covered with didodecyldimethyl ammonium bromide (DDAB) on photoluminescence (PL) properties. Although the PL intensity of isolated NCs was weakened in the solid state even under inert conditions, the quantum yield of PL (PLQY) and the photostability of DDAB-covered NCs were drastically improved by the formation of two-dimensional (2D) ordered arrays on a substrate. The PLQY of the 2D arrays increased to ca. 60% by initial excitation illumination at 468 nm and was maintained for over 4000 h. The improved PL properties are attributable to the fixation of the surface ligand around the NCs in the specific ordered arrays.

Intelligent Colorimetric Indicators for Quality Monitoring and Multilevel Anticounterfeiting with Kinetics-Tunable Fluorescence

The spoilage and forgery of perishable products such as food, drugs, and vaccines cause serious health hazards and economic loss every year. Developing highly efficient and convenient time-temperature indicators (TTIs) to realize quality monitoring and anticounterfeiting simultaneously is urgent but remains a challenge. To this end, a kind of colorimetric fluorescent TTI, based on CsPbBr₃@SiO₂ nanoparticles with tunable quenching kinetics, is developed. The kinetics rate of the CsPbBr₃-based TTIs is easily regulated by adjusting temperature, concentration of the nanoparticles, and addition of salts, stemming from the cation exchange effect, common-ion effect, and structural damage by water. Typically, when combined with europium complexes, the developed TTIs show an irreversible dynamic change in fluorescent colors from green to red upon increasing temperature and time. Furthermore, a locking encryption system with multiple logics is also realized by combining TTIs with different kinetics. The correct information only appears at specific ranges of time and temperature under UV light and is irreversibly self-erased afterward. The simple and low-cost composition and the ingenious design of kinetics-tunable fluorescence in this work stimulate more insights and inspiration toward intelligent TTIs, especially for high-security anticounterfeiting and quality monitoring, which is really conducive to ensuring food and medicine safety.

Effect of a-SiCxNy:H Encapsulation on the Stability and Photoluminescence Property of CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots

The effect of a-SiC_xN_y:H encapsulation layers, which are prepared using the very-high-frequency plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (VHF-PECVD) technique with SiH₄, CH₄, and NH₃ as the precursors, on the stability and photoluminescence of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots (QDs) were investigated in this study. The results show that a-SiCxNy:H encapsulation layers containing a high N content of approximately 50% cause severe PL degradation of CsPbBr₃ QDs. However, by reducing the N content in the a-SiCxNy:H layer, the PL degradation of CsPbBr₃ QDs can be significantly minimized. As the N content decreases from around 50% to 26%, the dominant phase in the a-SiCxNy:H layer changes from SiNx to SiCxNy. This transition preserves the inherent PL characteristics of CsPbBr₃ QDs, while also providing them with long-term stability when exposed to air, high temperatures (205 °C), and UV illumination for over 600 days. This method provided an effective and practical approach to enhance the stability and PL characteristics of CsPbBr₃ QD thin films, thus holding potential for future developments in optoelectronic devices.

Realization of 1.54-µm Light-Emitting Diodes Based on Er3+ /Yb3+ Co-Doped CsPbCl3 Films

Erbium ions (Er³⁺ , 1.54 µm) electric pumped light sources with excellent optical properties and a simple fabrication process are urgently desired to satisfy the development of silicon-based integration photonics. The previous Er-based electroluminescence devices are mainly based on Er-complexes or Er-doped oxide compounds, which usually suffer from low external quantum efficiency(EQE)or high applied voltage etc. In this work, a novel type of Er³⁺ /Yb³⁺ co-doped lead-halide perovskite films (Er³⁺ /Yb³⁺ :CsPbCl₃ ) with the maximum photoluminescence quantum yield of 30.12% are prepared by a simple two-step solution-coating method and the corresponding light emitting diodes (Er-PeLEDs) are fabricated, which demonstrate an almost pure 1.54-µm emission and a peak EQE up to 0.366% at a low applied voltage of 1.4 V. Strong negative thermal quenching effect may help Er-PeLEDs suppress Joule heating quenching. These excellent LED properties benefit mainly from the outstanding regulatory performance of acetate to perovskite films, the excellent semiconductor behavior and strong ionic property of the perovskite, and the involvement of Yb³⁺ ions, which can directly and efficiently transfer the exciton energy to Er³⁺ through a quantum cutting process. Overall, the realization of 1.54-µm Er-PeLEDs offers new opportunities for silicon-based integrated light sources.

Polymeric ionic liquid-based formulations for the fabrication of highly stable perovskite nanocrystal composites for photocatalytic applications

Halide perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) have emerged as potential visible-light photocatalysts because of their outstanding intrinsic properties, including high absorption coefficient and tolerance to defects, which reduces non-radiative recombination, and high oxidizing/reducing power coming from their tuneable band structure. Nevertheless, their sensitivity to humidity, light, heat and water represents a great challenge that limits their applications in solar driven photocatalytic applications. Herein, we demonstrate the synergistic potential of embedding PNCs into polymeric ionic liquids (PILs@PS) to fabricate suitable composites for photodegradation of organic dyes. In this context, the stability of the PNCs after polymeric encapsulation was enhanced, showing better light, moisture, water and thermal stability compared to pristine PNCs for around 200 days.

Facet Engineering for Decelerated Carrier Cooling in Polyhedral Perovskite Nanocrystals

We report here the hot carrier (HC) cooling time scales within polyhedral CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) characterized by different numbers of facets (6 to 26) utilizing a femtosecond upconversion setup. Interestingly, the observed cooling time scale slows many-fold (>10 times) upon opening the new facets on the NC surface. Furthermore, a temperature-dependent study reveals that cooling in multifaceted NCs is polaron mediated, where newly opened polar facets and the soft lattice of CsPbBr₃ NCs play pivotal roles. Our hallmark result of slow cooling in polyhedral NCs renders an excellent opportunity for harvesting high-energy carriers by a carefully chosen molecular system. To this end, employing the hole scavenger molecule aniline, we successfully extracted hot holes from optically pumped NCs. We believe that several intriguing properties of the polyhedral NCs, including rapid polaron formation, defect-tolerant nature, and the capability of soft lattice to support slow diffusion of charge carriers, resulted in decelerated cooling.

Surface decorated quantum dots: Synthesis, properties and role in herbal therapy

Quantum dots are the serendipitous outcome of materials research. It is the tiny carbonaceous nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 1 to 10 nm. This review is a brief discussion of the synthesis, properties, and biomedical applicability of quantum dots, especially in herbal therapy. As quantum dots are highly polar, they can be surface decorated with several kinds of polar functionalities, such as polymeric molecules, small functional molecules, and so on. The review also consists of the basic physical and optical properties of quantum dots and their excitation-dependent properties in the application section. We focus on therapeutics, where quantum dots are used as drugs or imaging probes. Nanoprobes for several diagnostics are quite new in the biomedical research domain. Quantum dot-based nanoprobes are in high demand due to their excellent fluorescence, non-bleaching nature, biocompatibility, anchoring feasibility for several analytes, and fast point-of-care sensibility. Lastly, we also included a discussion on quantum dot-based drug delivery as phytomedicine.

Moisture-Dependent Blinking of Individual CsPbBr3 Nanocrystals Revealed by Single-Particle Spectroscopy

All-inorganic metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have been exceptional candidates for high-performance solution-processed optoelectronic and photonic devices compared with organometal halide perovskite NCs due to their superior stability. However, the interactions between all-inorganic perovskite NCs and moisture, which is an acknowledged detrimental factor, are still under debate, and detailed investigations to uncover such fundamentals remain to be performed. Herein, with wide-field fluorescence microscopy, the burst photoluminescence blinking responses of CsPbBr₃ NCs were observed in ambient air, and moisture rather than oxygen was verified to be the key factor that leads to the enhanced PL intensity and reduced OFF duration. This behavior is rationalized through an effective passivation effect of the adsorbed water molecules on the surface halide vacancies on CsPbBr₃ NCs. This work validates that ∼40% humidity atmospheres are helpful for better utilizing the all-inorganic perovskites, which is evidence of their promising prospect for application.

In Situ Tetraalkylammonium Ligand Engineering of Organic-Inorganic Hybrid Perovskite Nanoparticles for Enhancing Long-Term Stability and Optical Tunability

Organic-inorganic hybrid perovskite nanoparticles (OIHP NPs) have attracted scientific attention owing to their efficient photoluminescence with optical tunability, which is highly advantageous for optoelectronic applications. However, the limited long-term stability of OIHP NPs has significantly hindered their practical application. Despite several synthetic strategies and encapsulation methods to stabilize OIHP NPs, complicated multi-step procedures are often required. In this study, we introduce an in situ ligand engineering method for stabilizing and controlling the optical properties of OIHP NPs using tetraalkylammonium (TAA) halides with various molecular structures at different concentrations. Our one-pot ligand engineering substantially enhanced the stability of the OIHP NPs without post-synthetic processes. Moreover, in certain cases, approximately 90% of the initial photoluminescence (PL) intensity was preserved even after a month under ambient conditions (room temperature, 20-50% relative humidity). To determine the role of ligand engineering in stabilizing the OIHP NPs, the surface binding properties of the TAA ligands were thoroughly analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. Specifically, the permanent positive charge of the TAA cations and consequent effective electrostatic interactions with the surfaces of the OIHP NPs are pivotal for preserving the initial PL intensity. Our investigation is beneficial for developing OIHP nanomaterials with improved stability and controlled photoluminescence for various optoelectronic applications, such as light-emitting devices, photosensitizers, photodetectors, photocatalysis, and solar cells.

Cu+ → Mn2+ Energy Transfer in Cu, Mn Coalloyed Cs3ZnCl5 Colloidal Nanocrystals

In this work, we report the hot-injection synthesis of Cs₃ZnCl₅ colloidal nanocrystals (NCs) with tunable amounts of Cu⁺ and Mn²⁺ substituent cations. All the samples had a rodlike morphology, with a diameter of ∼14 nm and a length of ∼30-100 nm. Alloying did not alter the crystal structure of the host Cs₃ZnCl₅ NCs, and Cu ions were mainly introduced in the oxidation state +1 according to X-ray photoelectron and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies. The spectroscopic analysis of unalloyed, Cu-alloyed, Mn-alloyed, and Cu, Mn coalloyed NCs indicated that (i) the Cs₃ZnCl₅ NCs have a large band gap of ∼5.35 eV; (ii) Cu(I) aliovalent alloying leads to an absorption shoulder/peak at ∼4.8 eV and cyan photoluminescence (PL) peaked at 2.50 eV; (iii) Mn(II) isovalent alloying leads to weak Mn PL, which intensifies remarkably in the coalloyed samples, prompted by an energy transfer (ET) process between the Cu and Mn centers, favored by the overlap between the lowest (⁶A₁ → ⁴T₁) transition for tetrahedrally coordinated Mn²⁺ and the PL profile from Cu(I) species in the Cs₃ZnCl₅ NCs. The efficiency of this ET process reaches a value of 61% for the sample with the highest extent of Mn alloying. The PL quantum yield (QY) values in these Cu, Mn coalloyed NCs are lower at higher Mn contents. The analysis of the Mn PL dynamics in these samples indicates that this PL drop stems from inter-Mn exciton migration, which increases the likelihood of trapping in defect sites, in agreement with previous studies.

Probing Chemical-Composition-Induced Heterostructures and Interfaces in Lead Halide Perovskites

Lead halide perovskites (LHP) are of great interest for their optoelectronic properties and photovoltaic applications. Various heterostructures are created in these materials to achieve favorable optical properties and improved stability at the interfaces during the fabrication of devices. Such heterostructures are often assumed to be formed based on the reactivity of precursors and are not directly probed. In this Feature Article, we report how various strategies have been employed in LHP thin films and nanocrystals (NCs) that generate heterostructures to boost their stability and photovoltaic (PV) efficiencies and how variable energy photoelectron spectroscopy (VEPES) can probe the chemical composition variation in heterostructured materials and interfaces. We specifically discussed the internal heterostructures of LHP NCs generated due to the surface chemistry and postsynthesis anion exchange followed by a detailed discussion of the heterostructures induced by the chemical composition (anion, cation, and degradation) of LHP thin films. The difficulties in determining heterostructures as well as the potential scope of the application of VEPES in unwrapping heterostructures in diverse materials are also discussed.

Degradation mechanisms of perovskite nanocrystals in color-converted InGaN micro-light-emitting diodes

The metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) have attracted much attention because of their excellent optical properties and potential for application in optoelectronic devices. However, their photo- and thermostability are still practical challenges and need further optimization. Here, we have studied the degradation behaviors of CsPbI₃ NCs utilized as optical conversion layer in InGaN based blue micro-LEDs in situ. Furthermore, the effects of temperature and light irradiation on perovskite NCs were investigated respectively. The results indicate that both blue light irradiation and high temperature can cause the increased nonradiative recombination rate, resulting in the degradation of perovskite NCs and reduction of the photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY). Especially in high-temperature condition, both the single-exciton nonradiative recombination rate and the biexciton nonradiative recombination rate are increased, causing the significant reduction of PLQY of perovskite NCs in high temperature environment than blue light irradiation. Our work provides a detailed insight about the correlation between the light irradiation and temperature consequences for CsPbI₃ NCs and may help to pave the way toward optoelectronic device applications.

Aqueous, Non-Polymer-Based Perovskite Quantum Dots for Bioimaging: Conserving Fluorescence and Long-Term Stability via Simple and Robust Synthesis

Perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) offer high photoluminescence quantum yields; however, due to their limited stability in aqueous media, to date their utilization in biomedical applications has been limited. The present work demonstrates highly fluorescent and stable aqueous PQDs that were synthesized using a facile engineered phase transfer method. Ligands were engineered to have a dual functionality, i.e., they could simultaneously mediate the strong binding of PQDs and the interactions with water molecules. The resultant water-soluble PQDs demonstrated robust structural and optical properties. The extracted aqueous PQDs remained stable in pellet form for 8 months, which was the entire test duration. Notably, 100% of their fluorescence was also retained. As a proof-of-concept experiment, the water-soluble PQDs were successfully tagged to polyclonal antibodies and used to image Escherichia coli cells in aqueous media. No structural or optical disturbance in PQDs was detected throughout the process. This work marks the beginning of the use of nonpolymeric aqueous PQDs and shows their strong potential to be used in biological applications.

Enhancing oxygen/moisture resistance of quantum dots by short-chain, densely cross-linked silica glass network

Quantum dots (QDs) are facing significant photoluminescence degradation in moisture environment. In QDs-silicone composites, the poor water resistance of silicone matrix makes it easy for water and oxygen molecules to erode QDs. To tackle this issue, we proposed a new QDs protection strategy by introducing short-chain silica precursors onto the QDs' surface, so that a dense silica passivation layer could be formed onto the QDs nanoparticles. Sol-gel method based on 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES), 3-mercaptopropyl trimethoxysilane (MPTMS), and 3-mercaptopropyl triethoxysilane (MPTES) were adopted to prepare the uniform and crack-free QDs-silica glass (QD-glass). Because of the crosslinking of short-chain precursors, the formed silica glass possesses 38.6% smaller pore width and 68.6% lower pore volume than silicone, indicating its denser cross-linked network surrounding QDs. After 360 h water immersion, the QDs-glass demonstrated a 6% enhancement in red-light peak intensity, and maintained a stable full width at half maximum (FWHM) and peak wavelength, proving its excellent water-resistant ability. However, the conventional QDs-silicone composites not only showed a decrease of 75.3% in red-light peak intensity, but also a broadened FWHM and a redshifted peak wavelength after water immersion. QDs-glass also showed superior photostability after 132 h exposure to blue light. Red-light peak intensity of QDs-glass remained 87.3% of the initial while that of QDs-silicone decreased to 19.8%. And the intensity of QDs-glass dropped to 62.3% of that under 20 °C after thermal treatment of 160 °C. Besides, under increasing driving currents, the light conversion efficiency drop of QDs-glass is only one fifth that of QDs-silicone. Based on the QDs-glass, the white light-emitting diodes was achieved with a high luminous efficiency of 126.5 lm W^-1and a high color rendering index of 95.4. Thus, the newly proposed QD-glass has great significance in guaranteeing the working reliability of QDs-converted devices against moisture and high-power environment.

Ultrahigh Stability of Perovskite Nanocrystals by Using Semiconducting Molecular Species for Displays

The instability of perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) to moisture, heat, and blue light severely hinders their commercial applications in quantum dot displays. Here, organic semiconducting molecules are introduced onto CsPbBr₃ NCs, and the as-obtained CsPbBr₃ NCs have a high photoluminescent quantum yield (PLQY) of 82% and extremely high stability in harsh commercial accelerated operational stability tests (such as high temperature (85 °C) and high humidity (85%)). The products can survive and maintain more than 80% of the initial PL intensity value under high temperature, high humidity, and long-term blue light irradiation for hundreds to thousands of hours. They are among the most stable perovskite NCs and even superior to those encapsulated by inert shells and commercial green-emissive CdSe@ZnS quantum dots (QDs). The mechanism of the exceptional stability has been proposed, mainly including the strong interaction and moderate photocarrier transfer between the quasi type II heterostructure formed by the molecule and CsPbBr₃. By using these stable CsPbBr₃ NCs, a QD-enhanced liquid crystal display prototype has been successfully fabricated with a wide color gamut. This work provides understandings on the functionality of ligands in perovskite fields and a promising prospect in perovskite-based display technologies.

Significant boost of the stability and PLQYof CsPbBr3 NCs by Cu-BTC MOF

Developing stable perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with enhancing luminescent properties holds great importance for future potential applications in optoelectronics. Here, we engaged perovskite NCs in Cu²⁺ ion-based metal–organic framework (MOF) Cu-BTC (BTC = 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylate) by physical mixing of MOF with CsPbBr₃ NCs in toluene solution. MOF-protected perovskite NCs achieved high photoluminescence quantum yield 96.51% than pristine state CsPbBr₃ NCs (51.66%). Along with the improvement in optical properties, the long-term stability of CsPbBr₃ NCs in the solution phase also increases considerably upon loading in Cu-BTC MOF. Moreover, the changes in the luminescent intensity of the samples have been observed for 3 months in the solution. After 1 month, pristine CsPbBr₃ NCs lose their emission intensity 68% from the initial, while the MOF-protected CsPbBr₃ NCs show only a 10% reduction from the initial. These results indicate that the effective passivation of Cu-BTC MOF inhibits the aggregation of NCs, protecting them from the defective atmosphere. The excellent photoluminescence findings provide a new pathway for future optoelectronic applications.

Large-Scale Production of Ligand-Engineered Robust Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals by a Droplet-Based Microreactor System

Cesium lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (CLHP NCs) have a wide range of potential applications benefited from the properties of high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY), wide luminous gamut, and narrow half peak width. However, due to the ionic nature and sensitivity to moisture, oxygen, or heat, perovskite nanocrystals are too fragile to maintain their crystal structure and optical properties. This work proposes solutions to two key issues in the development of CLHP NCs. First, a productive droplet-based microreactor system is designed to accomplish the scale-up production of CLHP NCs, obtaining sub-gram high-purity nanocrystal powders in a single production process. Second, CLHP NCs which are stable in polar solvents, air environment, and high temperature by using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as basic ligand are obtained. Wrapped with Si-O-Si generated by APTES, the CLHP NCs exhibit a longer fluorescence lifetime and higher quantum yield. Especially, the PLQY of CsPbBr₃ @APTES can be stable at higher than 90% for more than 10 days. The Si-O-Si protective layer can also suppress the anion exchange between CsPbBr₃ and CsPbI₃ , maintaining the monochromaticity of nanocrystal luminescence. Eventually, full-spectrum quantum light-emitting diode (QLED) beads with robust nanocrystals are fabricated. The gamut of CsPbX₃ @APTES encompasses 140% of the NTSC color gamut standard.

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.

Precise Tuning of Multiple Perovskite Photoluminescence by Volume-Controlled Printing of Perovskite Precursor Solution on Cellulose Paper

Metal halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) with a controlled quantum size effect have received intense interest for potential applications in optoelectronics and photonics. Here, we present a simple and innovative strategy to precisely tune the photoluminescence color of PeNCs by simply printing perovskite precursor solutions on cellulose papers. Depending on the volume of the printed precursor solutions, the PeNCs are autonomously grown into three discrete sizes, and their relative size population is controlled; accordingly, not only the number of multiple PL peaks but also their relative intensities can be precisely tuned. This autonomous size control is obtained through the efflorescence, which is advection of salt ions toward the surface of a porous medium during solvent evaporation and also through the confined crystal growth in the hierarchical structure of cellulose fibers. The infiltrated PeNCs are environmentally stable against moisture (for 3 months in air at 70% relative humidity) and strong light exposure by hydrophobic surface treatment. This study also demonstrates invisible encryption and highly secured unclonable anticounterfeiting patterns on deformable cellulose substrates and banknotes.

Stable Bismuth-Doped Lead Halide Perovskite Core-Shell Nanocrystals by Surface Segregation Effect

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit excellent optoelectronic performance, however, the broad application is limited by their poor stability. Herein, a strategy for stable core-shell structured bismuth-doped lead halide perovskite NCs is reported. The stable core-shell perovskite NCs are prepared based on heterovalent substitutions and surface segregation effect. Core-shell features are revealed through advanced characterization and structure analyses. Meanwhile, the transfer of carriers between the core and the shell is observed by ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy. The core-shell structured perovskite NCs exhibit outstanding structure stability and retain 97% of the original photocatalytic efficiency after cycle experiments under moisture ambient and light irradiation. Such a core-shell structure constructs gradient energy levels. These findings are expected to facilitate the development of stable lead halide perovskite devices.

Blue-light-excited narrowing red photoluminescence in lead-free double perovskite Cs2−xKxAg0.6Na0.4In0.8Bi0.2Cl6−xBrx with cryogenic effects

The addition of KBr changed the original transition mode of the material and realized the blue-light excitation and narrow red emission of Cs2AgInCl6 at low temperatures.

Quasi-Type II Core-Shell Perovskite Nanocrystals for Improved Structural Stability and Optical Gain

In recent years, core-shell lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) and their devices have attracted intensive attention owing to nearly perfect optoelectronic properties. However, the complex photophysical mechanism among them is still unclear. Herein, monodispersed core-shell PeNCs coated with an all-inorganic cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) shell epitaxially grown on the surface of formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr₃) PeNCs were synthesized. Through power- and temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) measurements, it is found that the electronic structure of the core-shell FAPbBr₃/CsPbBr₃ PeNCs has a quasi-type II band alignment. The presence of Cs⁺ in the shell limits ion migration and helps to stabilize structural and optical properties. On this basis, after being exposed to pulsed nanosecond laser for a period, an amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) can be observed, which is attributed to the effective passivation induced by laser irradiation on defects at the interface. The ASE threshold of the core-shell PeNCs showing high structural and optical stability is 447 nJ/cm² under pulsed nanosecond optical pumping. The results that are demonstrated here provide a new idea and perspective for improving the stability of perovskite and can be of practical interest for the utilization of the core-shell PeNCs in optoelectronic devices.

Mixed Halide Perovskite Films by Vapor Anion Exchange for Spectrally Stable Blue Stimulated Emission

Solution-processed all-inorganic CsPbX₃ perovskites exhibit outstanding optoelectronic properties and are being considered as a promising optical gain medium, with impressive performance in the green and red region. However, the development of CsPbX₃ for blue emission is still lagging far behind, owing to difficulties in thin films synthesis and spectral instability subject to light irradiation. Here, a facile vapor anion exchange (VAE) method that enables preparation of blue-emitting perovskite films with both excellent surface morphology and good photo-stability is reported. The mixed-Br/Cl quasi-2D perovskite films show spectrally stable pure blue emission (471 nm) under continuous-wave laser irradiation with power density as high as 81 W cm^-2 . Furthermore, optically pumped blue amplified spontaneous emission (ASE) is realized based on the mixed-Br/Cl perovskite films. By changing the duration of VAE treatment, the ASE peak can be tuned from 537 nm down to 475 nm. This work not only presents a facile method to prepare high quality mixed halide Cs-based perovskite films, but also pave the way for further exploration of stable blue perovskite lasing.

Stable and Efficient Blue-Emitting CsPbBr3 Nanoplatelets with Potassium Bromide Surface Passivation

Colloidal all-inorganic perovskites nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as a promising material for display and lighting due to their excellent optical properties. However, blue emissive NCs usually suffer from low photoluminescence quantum yields (PLQYs) and poor stability, rendering them the bottleneck for full-color all-perovskite optoelectronic applications. Herein, a facile approach is reported to enhance the emission efficiency and stability of blue emissive perovskite nano-structures via surface passivation with potassium bromide. By adding potassium oleate and excess PbBr₂ to the perovskite precursor solutions, potassium bromide-passivated (KBr-passivated) blue-emitting (≈450 nm) CsPbBr₃ nanoplatelets (NPLs) is successfully synthesized with a respectably high PLQY of 87%. In sharp contrast to most reported perovskite NPLs, no shifting in emission wavelength is observed in these passivated NPLs even after prolonged exposures to intense irradiations and elevated temperature, clearly revealing their excellent photo- and thermal-stabilities. The enhancements are attributed to the formation of K-Br bonding on the surface which suppresses ion migration and formation of Br-vacancies, thus improving both the PL emission and stability of CsPbBr₃ NPLs. Furthermore, all-perovskite white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) are successfully constructed, suggesting that the proposed KBr-passivated strategy can promote the development of the perovskite family for a wider range of optoelectronic applications.

Inkjet-Printed Full-Color Matrix Quasi-Two-Dimensional Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Full-color matrix devices based on perovskite light-emitting diodes (PeLEDs) formed via inkjet printing are increasingly attractive due to their tunable emission, high color purity, and low cost. A key challenge for realizing PeLED matrix devices is achieving high-quality perovskite films with a favorable emission structure via inkjet printing techniques. In this work, a narrow phase distribution, high-quality quasi-two-dimensional (quasi-2D) perovskite film without a "coffee ring" was obtained via the introduction of a phenylbutylammonium cation into the perovskite and the use of a vacuum-assisted quick-drying process. Relatively efficient emissions of red, green, and blue (RGB) uniform quasi-2D perovskite films with high photoluminescence quantum yields were cast by the inkjet printing technique. The RGB monochrome perovskite matrix devices with 120 pixel-per-inch resolution exhibited electroluminescence, with maximum external quantum efficiencies of 3.5, 3.4, and 1.0% (for red, green, and blue light emissions, respectively). Furthermore, a full-color perovskite matrix device with a color gamut of 102% (NTSC 1931) was realized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of a full-color perovskite matrix device formed by inkjet printing.

Highly Conductive Ligand-Free Cs2 PtBr6 Perovskite Nanocrystals with a Narrow Bandgap and Efficient Photoelectrochemical Performance

Design of high-performance all-inorganic halide perovskites, especially lead-free perovskites, is key to the broadening of its application prospects. Herein, the authors report the synthesis of ligand-free cesium platinum (IV) bromide nanocrystals (Cs₂ PtBr₆ NCs), a new kind of vacancy-ordered lead-free perovskite nanomaterial, by a facile one-pot method. The Cs₂ PtBr₆ NCs exhibits a narrow band gap of 1.32 eV covering the entire visible range, which is supported by density functional theory calculations. Together with their high conductivity, matching energy levels with the work function of carbon electrodes, and excellent environmental stability, this NC displays a cathodic photocurrent density as high as 335 µA cm^-2 , two orders of magnitude higher than other perovskites in aqueous solutions without the need of other electron acceptors. These combined properties suggest that the Cs₂ PtBr₆ NCs have great potentials in a wide range of photoelectronic and photoelectrochemical sensing applications.

Formation and Near-Infrared Emission of CsPbI3 Nanoparticles Embedded in Cs4PbI6 Crystals

Cs₄PbI₆, as a rarely investigated member of the Cs₄PbX₆ (X is a halogen element) family, has been successfully synthesized at low temperatures, and the synthetic conditions have been optimized. Metal iodides such as LiI, KI, NiI₂, CoI₂, and ZnI₂, as additives, play an important role in enhancing the formation of the Cs₄PbI₆ microcrystals. ZnI₂ with the lowest dissociation energy is the most efficient additive to supply iodide ions, and its amount of addition has also been optimized. Strong red to near-infrared (NIR) emission properties have been detected, and its optical emission centers have been identified to be numerous embedded perovskite-type α-CsPbI₃ nanocrystallites (∼5 nm in diameter) based on investigations of temperature- and pressure-dependent photoluminescent properties. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy was used to detect these hidden nanoparticles, although the material was highly beam-sensitive and confirmed a "raisin bread"-like structure of the Cs₄PbI₆ crystals. A NIR mini-LED for the biological application has been successfully fabricated using as-synthesized Cs₄PbI₆ crystals. This work provides information for the future development of infrared fluorescent nanoscale perovskite materials.

State of the Art and Prospects for Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Metal-halide perovskites have rapidly emerged as one of the most promising materials of the 21st century, with many exciting properties and great potential for a broad range of applications, from photovoltaics to optoelectronics and photocatalysis. The ease with which metal-halide perovskites can be synthesized in the form of brightly luminescent colloidal nanocrystals, as well as their tunable and intriguing optical and electronic properties, has attracted researchers from different disciplines of science and technology. In the last few years, there has been a significant progress in the shape-controlled synthesis of perovskite nanocrystals and understanding of their properties and applications. In this comprehensive review, researchers having expertise in different fields (chemistry, physics, and device engineering) of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystals have joined together to provide a state of the art overview and future prospects of metal-halide perovskite nanocrystal research.

Thermal Conductive Encapsulation Enables Stable High-Power Perovskite-Converted Light-Emitting Diodes

Significant progress has been achieved on perovskite nanocrystal (PNC)-converted light-emitting diodes (PcLEDs) with the development of surface encapsulations. However, achieving bright and long-living devices remains a challenge because the thermal isolation structure of the air barriers exacerbates heat accumulation inside PcLEDs. Here, we proposed a thermal conductive encapsulation for PNCs by embedding CsPbBr₃ PNCs in layer-by-layer assembled boron nitride (BN) nanoplatelets through SiO₂ crosslinking. This structure effectively suppresses the heat accumulation on PNCs and provides excellent air resistance, enabling the PNC-SiO₂-BN composite to withstand 1000 h of photothermal annealing (under a 405 nm laser at 0.31 W cm^-2, 80 °C in air) without showing obvious degradation. Green- and white-light PcLEDs were fabricated via on-chip encapsulation of PNC-SiO₂-BN. The PcLEDs achieved the milestone in long-term stability (half-life time > 1000 h) at a high power density of ∼1.7 W cm^-2 and displayed extradentary stability at ∼0.15 W cm^-2 with constant light intensity within 1000 h of sustained illumination. The success in making thermal conductive composites will expedite the application of PNCs in LED backlights and other optoelectronic devices.

A universal synthesis strategy for stable CsPbX3@oxide core-shell nanoparticles through bridging ligands

CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) have shown great potential in various optoelectronic devices due to their excellent photophysical properties. However, the poor stability has severely impeded their practical applications. Much effort has been devoted to the preparation of monodisperse core-shell NCs to improve the stability of CsPbX3 NCs. However, it is still challenging to develop a general method to coat CsPbX3 NCs with oxides at the single-particle level. In this work, we report a simple way to prepare monodisperse CsPbX3@SiO2/Ta2O5/ZrO2 core-shell structure NCs using 3-aminopropyl triethoxysilane (APTES) as a bridging ligand. It has been found that careful control of the hydrolysis and condensation process of oxide precursors is critical for the successful preparation of CsPbX3@oxide core-shell NCs. The stability of CsPbI3 NCs upon attack of water, UV-light irradiation, and heating before and after the oxide shell growth has been investigated, demonstrating the efficient protective effect of oxide shells. This work not only provides a novel and universal approach for coating the individual CsPbX3 nanocrystal with various oxide shells but also paves the way for potential practical applications of CsPbX3 NCs because of the enhanced stability.

Stable bright perovskite nanoparticle thin porous films for color enhancement in modern liquid crystal displays

Cesium-lead halide perovskite nanoparticles are a promising class of luminescent materials for color and efficient displays. However, material stability is the key issue to solve before we can use these materials in modern displays. Encapsulation is one of the most efficient methods that can markedly improve the stability of perovskite nanoparticles against moisture, heat, oxygen, and light. Thus, we urgently need a low-cost, reliable, and device-compatible encapsulation method for the integration of nanomaterials into display devices. Here, we propose a facile encapsulation method to stabilize perovskite nanoparticles in thin polymer porous films. Using porous polymer films, we achieved good photoluminescence stability in the harsh environment of high temperature, high humidity and strong UV illumination. The good UV stability benefitted from the unique optical properties of the porous film. Besides, we observed photoluminescence enhancement of CsPbBr₃ nanoparticle films in a high humidity environment. The stable CsPbBr₃ nanoparticle thin porous film provides high brightness (236 nits) and great color enhancement for LCDs and is characterized by simple fabrication with easy scalability, thus it is very suitable for modern LCDs.

Vertically Aligned CsPbBr3 Nanowire Arrays with Template-Induced Crystal Phase Transition and Stability

Metal halide perovskites show great promise for a wide range of optoelectronic applications but are plagued by instability when exposed to air and light. This work presents low-temperature solution growth of vertically aligned CsPbBr₃ nanowire arrays in AAO (anodized aluminum oxide) templates with excellent stability, with samples exposed to air for 4 months still exhibiting comparable photoluminescence and UV stability to fresh samples. The single-crystal nanowire length is adjusted from ∼100 nm to 5 μm by adjusting the precursor solution amount and concentration, and we observe length-to-diameter ratios as high as 100. Structural characterization results indicate that large-diameter CsPbBr₃ nanowires have an orthorhombic structure, while the 10 nm- and 20 nm-diameter nanowires adopt a cubic structure. Photoluminescence shows a gradual blue-shift in emission with decreasing nanowire diameter and marginal changes under varying illumination power intensity. The CsPbBr₃-nanowires/AAO composite exhibits excellent resistance to X-ray radiation and long-term air storage, which makes it promising for future optoelectronic applications such as X-ray scintillators. These results show how physical confinement in AAO can be used to realize CsPbBr₃ nanowire arrays and control their morphology and crystal structure.

Improved Long-Term Reliability of a Silica-Encapsulated Perovskite Quantum-Dot Light-Emitting Device with an Optically Pumped Remote Film Package

In this study, inorganic perovskite (CsPbBr₃) quantum dots are wrapped in SiO₂ to provide better performance against external erosion. Long-term storage (250 days) is demonstrated with very little changes in the illumination capability of these quantum dots. While in the continuous aging procedure, different package architectures can achieve very different lifetimes. As long as 6000 h of lifetime can be expected from these quantum dots, but the blue shift of emission wavelength still needs more investigation.

Environment-Induced Reversible Modulation of Optical and Electronic Properties of Lead Halide Perovskites and Possible Applications to Sensor Development: A Review

Lead halide perovskites are currently widely investigated as active materials in photonic and optoelectronic devices. While the lack of long term stability actually limits their application to commercial devices, several experiments demonstrated that beyond the irreversible variation of the material properties due to degradation, several possibilities exist to reversibly modulate the perovskite characteristics by acting on the environmental conditions. These results clear the way to possible applications of lead halide perovskites to resistive and optical sensors. In this review we will describe the current state of the art of the comprehension of the environmental effects on the optical and electronic properties of lead halide perovskites, and of the exploitation of these results for the development of perovskite-based sensors.