Unlocking the Potential of Cesium Lead Bromide Nanocrystals—Stability and Growth Insights from High-Throughput Synthesis

Cesium lead bromide (CsPbBr₃) nanocrystals are at the forefront of optoelectronic innovation, offering exciting possibilities for next-generation devices. However, the widely-used ligand-assisted reprecipitation (LARP) method for synthesizing these nanocrystals often struggles with stability. Our research employs a cutting-edge automated platform to delve into the growth dynamics and stability of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals produced via LARP. By systematically exploring the impact of various ligands, we reveal that short-chain ligands fall short in achieving desirable nanocrystal sizes and shapes. In contrast, long-chain ligands foster the formation of uniform and stable nanocrystals. Moreover, we discovered that an overabundance of amines or polar antisolvents can drive the transformation of nanocrystals into Cs-rich non-perovskite structures, characterized by inferior emission properties and increased size variability. This study [1] underscores the pivotal role of ligand diffusion in dictating nanocrystal structure and functionality, providing crucial guidelines for optimizing synthesis methods and enhancing the performance of these promising materials.<br/><br/>(1) Sanchez, S. L.; Tang, Y.; Hu, B.; Yang, J.; Ahmadi, M. Understanding the ligand-assisted reprecipitation of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals via high-throughput robotic synthesis approach. <i>Matter </i><b>2023</b>. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matt.2023.05.023.