Perovskite nanocrystals have positioned themselves at the forefront for next-generation emitter applications due to their extraordinary optoelectronic properties, which include widely tunable narrow emission spectra and low-cost syntheses. However, stability issues and halide ion exchange inhibit the realization of heterostructures, severely limiting their applicability and decelerating their commercialization. Here, we combine a block copolymer templated halide perovskite nanocrystal synthesis with a post-synthetic treatment with UV-C light to obtain ultra-stable thin film emitters. The UV light induces cross-linking between the polymer strands, thereby rendering them insoluble to the organic solvent and nearly impervious to halide ion diffusion while retaining the nanocrystals’ optical properties. This method enabled the fabrication of an all-perovskite nanocrystal white light-emitting thin film. The resulting films feature narrow linewidths (< 95meV) for each RGB emission peak. Additionally, the color temperature of the ’white’ light can be tuned with a color gamut approximating the Rec. 2020 standard. These RGB-emissive phosphor films could be combined with commercial UV or blue LED backlights to create the next-generation high-efficiency, high-quality phosphor-converted white LEDs or color displays.
Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) with narrow, bright emission in the visible range are promising candidates for light-emitting applications. Near-unity quantum yields have been realized for green and red-emitting perovskites, but efficient, stable blue-emitting perovskite materials are scarce. Current methods to synthesize quantum-confined CsPbBr3 NCs with blue emission are limited to specific wavelength ranges and still suffer from inhomogeneously broadened emission profiles. Herein, anisotropic blue-green emitting CsPbBr3 NCs are synthesized in ambient atmosphere using a spontaneous crystallization method. Optical spectroscopy reveals a gradual, asymptotic photoluminescence (PL) redshift of pristine colloidal NCs after synthesis. During this process, the emission quality improves notably as the PL spectra become narrower and more symmetric, accompanied by a PL intensity increase. Electron microscopy indicates that the gradual redshift stems from an isotropic growth of the CsPbBr3 NCs in at least two dimensions, likely due to residual precursor ions in the dispersion. Most importantly, the growth process can be halted at any point by injecting an enhancement solution containing PbBr2 and organic capping ligands. Thus, excellent control over NC size is achieved, allowing for nanometer-precise tunability of the respective emission wavelength in the range between 475 and 500 nm, enhancing the functionality of these already impressive NCs.
Achieving the goal of generating all of the world's energy via renewable sources and significantly reducing the energy usage will require the development of novel, abundant, nontoxic energy conversion materials. Here, a cost-efficient and scalable continuous flow synthesis of Cs3Cu2I5 nanocrystals is developed as a basis for the rapid advancement of novel nanomaterials. Ideal precursor solutions are obtained through a novel batch synthesis, whose product served as a benchmark for the subsequent flow synthesis. Realizing this setup enabled a reproducible fabrication of Cs3Cu2I5 nanocrystals. The effect of volumetric flow rate and temperature on the final product's morphology and optical properties are determined, obtaining 21% quantum yield with the optimal configuration. Consequently, the size and morphology of the nanocrystals can be tuned with far more precision and in a much broader range than previously achievable. The flow setup is readily applicable to other relevant nanomaterials. It should enable a rapid determination of a material's potential and subsequently optimize its desired properties for renewable energy generation or efficient optoelectronics.
This study links the structural properties of EDOT-amide-TPA and its superior performance as hole transporting materials for perovskite solar cells.
Heteroatom alloying of lead-free perovskite derivatives is a highly promising route to tailor their optoelectronic properties and stability for multiple applications. Here, we demonstrate the facile solution-based synthesis of Sn-alloyed layered MA3Sb2I9 thin films by precursor engineering, combining acetate and halide salts. An increasing concentration of tin halides in different oxidation states leads to a strong boost in absorption over the whole visible spectrum. We demonstrate phase-pure synthesis and elucidate the heterovalent incorporation of Sn into the MA3Sb2I9 lattice, proving the formation of additional electronic states in the bandgap by theoretical calculations. On this basis, we dissect the strong absorption increase into three components that we attribute to intervalence and heteroatom-induced interband absorption. Finally, we show the charge-stabilizing effect of the system through robustness toward precursors in mixed oxidation states and trace the improved ambient stability of this material back to this feature.
Cs2AgBiBr6 has attracted much interest as a potential lead‐free alternative for perovskite solar cells. Although this material offers encouraging optoelectronic features, severe bottlenecks limit the performance of the resulting solar cells to a power conversion efficiency of below 3%. Here, the performance‐limiting factors of this material are investigated in full solar cells featuring various architectures. It is found that the photovoltaic parameters of Cs2AgBiBr6‐based solar cells strongly depend on the scan speed of the J/V measurements, suggesting a strong impact of ionic conductivity in the material. Moreover, a sign change of the photocurrent for bias voltages above 0.9 V during the measurement of the external quantum efficiency (EQE) is revealed, which can be explained by non‐selective contacts. The radiative loss of the VOC from sensitive subgap‐EQE measurements is calculated and it is revealed that the loss is caused by a low external luminescence yield and therefore a high non‐radiative recombination, supported by the first report of a strongly red shifted electroluminescence signal between 800 and 1000 nm. Altogether, these results point to a poor selectivity of the contacts and charge transport layers, caused by poor energy level alignment that can be overcome by optimizing the architecture of the solar cell.