Ligand removal and photo-activation of CsPbBr3 quantum dots for enhanced optoelectronic devices

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.

Modulation of carrier conduction in CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots with band-aligned electron and hole acceptors

The lead halide perovskites have emerged as promising materials with intriguing photo-physical properties and have immense potential for photovoltaic applications. A comprehensive study on the kinetics of charge carrier (electron/hole) generation and transfer across the interface is key to realizing their future scope for efficient device engineering. Herein, we investigate the interfacial charge transfer (CT) dynamics in cesium lead halide (CsPbBr3) perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) with energetically favorable electron acceptors, anthraquinone (AQ) and p-benzoquinone (BQ), and hole acceptors such as pyrene and 4-(dimethylamino)pyridine (DMAP). With various steady-state and time-resolved spectroscopic and microscopic measurements, a faster electron transfer rate is estimated for CsPbBr3 PQDs with BQ compared to that of AQ, while a superior hole transfer for DMAP is divulged compared to pyrene. In concurrence with the spectroscopic measurements, conducting atomic force microscopic studies across the electrode-PQD-electrode junction reveals an increment in the conductance of the PQD in the presence of both the electron and hole acceptors. The variation of the density of states calculation in the presence of the hole acceptors offers strong support and validation for faster CT efficiency. The above findings suggest that a careful selection of simple yet efficient molecular arrangements can facilitate rapid carrier transfer, which can be designed as auxiliary layers for smooth CT and help in the engineering of cost-effective photovoltaic devices.

Overcoming the Trade-Off between Optical Transmittance and Areal Capacitance of Transparent Supercapacitors for Practical Application

It is substantially challenging for transition metal oxide nanoparticle (NP)-based electrodes for supercapacitors to achieve high transparency and large capacity simultaneously due to the inherent trade-off between optical transmittance (T) and areal capacitance (C_A ). This study demonstrates how this trade-off limitation can be overcome by replacing some electrode NPs with transparent tin oxide (SnO₂ ) NPs. Although SnO₂ NPs are non-capacitive, they provide effective paths for charge transport, which simultaneously increase the C_A and T_550nm of the manganese oxide (Mn₃ O₄ ) NP electrode from 11.7 to 13.4 mF cm^-2 and 82.1% to 87.4%, respectively, when 25 wt% of Mn₃ O₄ are replaced by SnO₂ . The obtained C_A values at a given T are higher than those of the transparent electrodes previously reported. An energy storage window fabricated using the mixed-NP electrodes exhibits the highest energy density among transparent supercapacitors previously reported. The improved energy density enables the window to operate various electronic devices for a considerable amount of time, demonstrating its applicability in constructing a reliable and space-efficient building-integrated power supply system.

Deciphering the Relevance of Quantum Confinement in the Optoelectronics of CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanostructures

Perovskites (PVKs) have emerged as an exciting class of semiconducting materials owing to their magnificent photophysical properties and been used in solar cells, light-emitting diodes, photodetectors, etc. The growth of multidimensional nanostructures has revealed many exciting alterations in their optoelectronic properties compared to those of their bulk counterparts. In this work, we have spotlighted the influence of quantum confinement in CsPbBr₃ PVKs like the quantum dot (PQD), nanoplatelet (PNPL), and nanorod (PNR) on their charge transfer (CT) dynamics with 1,4-naphthoquinone (NPQ). The energy band alignment facilitates the transfer of both electrons and holes in the PNPL to NPQ, enhancing its CT rate, while only electron transfer in the PQD and PNR diminishes CT. The tunneling current across a metal-nanostructure-metal junction for the PNPL is observed to be higher than others. The higher exciton binding energy in the PNPL results in efficient charge transport by enhancing the mobility of the excited-state carrier and its lifetime compared to those of the PNR and PQD.

Perovskite quantum dots as a chemiluminescence platform for highly sensitive assay of cefazolin

This paper reports on a chemiluminescence (CL) probe consist of CsPbBr₃ quantum dots (QDs) in organic phase together with Fe(II) and K₂S₂O₈ in aqueous medium for the highly selective and sensitive determination of the antibiotic, cefazolin (CFZ). The CsPbBr₃perovskite QDs prepared by the ligand assisted reprecipitation method, exhibit a narrow fluorescence at 533 nm under 460 nm excitation with a high quantum yield (42 %). The Fe(II) - S₂O₈^2- as an ultra-weak CL system is converted to a rather strong CL sensing platform in the presence of organic-phase CsPbBr₃ QDs. It was observed that CFZ exerts an enhancement effect on the CL signal of the designed probe in the linear range of 25 - 300 nM, with a low limit of detection (9.6 nM). The introduced sensor has broad application prospects in biosensing, food detection, and other fields with recovery ranging from 94 to 106 %.

Responsive Optical Materials Based on Ligand-Free Perovskite Quantum Dots Embedded in Mesoporous Scaffolds

Herein we show that dispersing inorganic cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) perovskite quantum dots (QDs) in optical quality films, possessing an accessible and controlled pore size distribution, gives rise to fluorescent materials with a controlled and highly sensitive response to ambient changes. A scaffold-based synthesis approach is employed to obtain ligand-free QDs, whose pristine surface endows them with high sensitivity to the presence of different vapors in their vicinity. At the same time, the void network of the host offers a means to gradually expose the embedded QDs to such vapors. Under these conditions, the luminescent response of the QDs is mediated by the mesostructure of the matrix, which determines the rate at which vapor molecules will adsorb onto the pore walls and, eventually, condensate, filling the void space. With luminescence quantum yields as high as 60%, scaffold-supported ligand-free perovskite nanocrystals display intense photoemission signals over the whole process, as well as high photo- and chemical stability, which allows illuminating them for long periods of time and recovering the original response upon desorption of the condensed phase. The results herein presented open a new route to explore the application of perovskite QD-based materials in sensing.

Investigation of Two Photon Absorption of Ligand-Modified CsPbBr3 Quantum Dots

The characteristics and application of nonlinear absorption from CsPbBr₃ QDs film with the ligand-modified strategy have been investigated in this work. By means of a near-infrared fs Ti:sapphire laser as a light source, the up-conversion emission of CsPbBr₃ QDs film of around 518 nm revealed a quadratic increase with the pump intensity. Through the temperature-dependent up-conversion emission, we obtained the binding energy and longitudinal optical (LO) phonon energy of CsPbBr₃ QDs film of around 58.1 and 61.2 meV, respectively. Due to more active thermal coupling between the excited electron or hot phonon effect, the photon decay trace under two-photon excitation was prolonged at higher temperatures. The ligand-modified CsPbBr₃ QDs film exhibits a relatively large TPA coefficient of around 28.6 cm/GW by the open aperture Z-scan measurement, and it has been demonstrated as a promising nonlinear medium to obtain the pulsewidth of ultrafast lasers.

Reversible Photochromism in ⟨110⟩ Oriented Layered Halide Perovskite

Extending halide perovskites' optoelectronic properties to stimuli-responsive chromism enables switchable optoelectronics, information display, and smart window applications. Here, we demonstrate a band gap tunability (chromism) via crystal structure transformation from three-dimensional FAPbBr₃ to a ⟨110⟩ oriented FA_n+2Pb_nBr_3n+2 structure using a mono-halide/cation composition (FA/Pb) tuning. Furthermore, we illustrate reversible photochromism in halide perovskite by modulating the intermediate n phase in the FA_n+2Pb_nBr_3n+2 structure, enabling greater control of the optical band gap and luminescence of a ⟨110⟩ oriented mono-halide/cation perovskite. Proton transfer reaction-mass spectroscopy carried out to precisely quantify the decomposition product reveals that the organic solvent in the film is a key contributor to the structural transformation and, therefore, the chromism in the ⟨110⟩ structure. These intermediate n phases (2 ≤ n ≤ ∞) stabilize in metastable states in the FA_n+2Pb_nBr_3n+2 system, which is accessible via strain or optical or thermal input. The structure reversibility in the ⟨110⟩ perovskite allowed us to demonstrate a class of photochromic sensors capable of self-adaptation to lighting.

Laser-induced crystal growth observed in CsPbBr3 perovskite nanoplatelets

Benefiting from the easily adjustable optical properties of perovskite, CsPbBr3 nanocrystals (NCs) are considered to be able to show their advantages in the field of display. Here, we report that...

Photo-Induced Black Phase Stabilization of CsPbI3 QDs Films

α-CsPbI3 quantum dots (QDs) show outstanding photoelectrical properties that had been harnessed in the fabrication of perovskite QDs solar cells. Nevertheless, the stabilization of the CsPbI3 perovskite cubic phase remains a challenge due to its own thermodynamic and the presence of surface defects. Herein, we report the optimization of the CsPbI3 QDs solar cells, by monitoring the structure, the morphology and the optoelectronic properties after a precise treatment, consisting of the conventional solvent washing with a time limited ultraviolet (UV) exposure combination, during the layer-by-layer deposition. The UV treatment compensates the defects coming from the essential but deleterious washing treatment. The material is stable for 200 h and the PCE improved by the 25% compared with that of the device without UV treatment. The photo-enhanced ion mobility mechanism is discussed as the main process for the CsPbI3 QDs and solar cell stability.

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.

Surface Engineering of Room Temperature-Grown Inorganic Perovskite Quantum Dots for Highly Efficient Inverted Light-Emitting Diodes

Inorganic cesium lead bromide quantum dots (CsPbBr₃ QDs) are usually synthesized via a high-temperature process (hot injection, HI). This process is similar to that used for the synthesis of other semiconductor QDs (i.e., CdSe@ZnS), which limits their potential cost advantage. CsPbBr₃ QDs can also be synthesized at room temperature (RT) in a low cost and easily scalable process, which, thus, is one of the greatest advantages of the CsPbBr₃ QDs. However, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) fabricated using RT-QDs exhibit poor performance compared to those of HI-QDs. In fact, QDs are surrounded by insulating ligands to maintain their colloidal stability but these ligands need to be removed to obtain high-performance LEDs. Here, we show that ligand removal techniques used for HI-QDs are not sufficient in the case of RT-QDs. Additional ligand engineering and annealing steps are necessary to remove the excess of ligands from RT-QD films while preventing the coalescence of the QDs. The eventual surface defects induced by annealing can be healed by a subsequent photoactivation step. Moreover, the use of solution processable inorganic charge transport layers can reduce the fabrication costs of LEDs. We fabricated an inverted LED based on a metal oxide electron transport layer and a RT-QD emitting layer which exhibited a maximum current efficiency of 17.61 cd A^-1 and a maximum luminance of 22 825 cd m^-2.

Rubidium as an Alternative Cation for Efficient Perovskite Light-Emitting Diodes

Incorporation of rubidium (Rb) into mixed lead halide perovskites has recently achieved record power conversion efficiency and excellent stability in perovskite solar cells. Inspired by these tremendous advances in photovoltaics, this study demonstrates the impact of Rb incorporation into MAPbBr₃-based light emitters. Rb partially substitutes MA (methyl ammonium), resulting in a mixed cation perovskite with the formula MA_{(1- x)}Rb _xPbBr₃. Pure MAPbBr₃ crystallizes into a polycrystalline layer with highly defective sub-micrometer grains. However, the addition of a small amount of Rb forms MA_{(1- x)}Rb _xPbBr₃ nanocrystals (10 nm) embedded in an amorphous matrix of MA/Rb Br. These nanocrystals grow into defect-free sub-micrometer-sized crystallites with further addition of Rb, resulting in a 3-fold increase in exciton lifetime when the molar ratio of MABr/RbBr is 1:1. A thin film fabricated with a 1:1 molar ratio of MABr/RbBr showed the best electroluminescent properties with a current efficiency (CE) of 9.45 cd/A and a luminance of 7694 cd/m². These values of CE and luminance are, respectively, 19 and 10 times larger than those achieved by pure MAPbBr₃ devices (0.5 cd/A and 790 cd/m²). We believe this work provides important information on the future compositional optimization of Rb⁺-based mixed cation perovskites for obtaining high-performance light-emitting diodes.