The StabPerov project contributed to two of the most challenging aspects in perovskite nanoparticle preparation, namely stability issues and the understanding of the formation of perovskite nanocrystals. In order to achieve such goals, we have developed new synthetic routes and investigated the nanocrystal formation via live photoluminescence (PL) detection.
To obtain stable perovskite nanocrystals (NCs), a new method was developed to obtain spontaneous crystallization perovskite NCs in nonpolar organic media by mixing of precursor–ligand complexes. The shape of the NCs can be tuned from nanocubes to nanoplatelets by decreasing the ratio between the monovalent cation (e.g. formamidinium (FA+) and Cs+) to divalent Pb2+ precursors. What’s more, the perovskite nanorods with improved stability were directly synthesised by controlling and fine-tuning the concentration and ratio of organic ligands (FA and oleate) and/or the ligand/precursor ratio (oleic acid/PbI2). Furthermore, we could demonstrate that the emission properties of perovskite nanorods can be fine-tuned by controlled halide exchange.
State-of-the-art structural and optical spectroscopy methods and techniques were employed for sample characterization of the nanocrystals and to analyse NC formation during synthesis. As an example, a new setup for in-situ PL detection was developed to monitor the progress of CsPbBr3 synthesis during nanocrystals growth, sample cooling, and purification. As an intriguing result, we observed that nanocrystals would form superstructures during the process of cooling in dispersion (which was frequently ignored in the literature). Furthermore, the FAPbI3 NCs were further characterized by femtosecond pump–probe spectroscopy in combination with density functional theory calculations, revealing that Bromium–based perovskite NCs display a superior stability over Iodine–based perovskite NCs.
