Key Takeaways & Executive Findings
- •• Zn2+ doping in CsPbBr3 nanocrystals reduces Pb toxicity and enhances PLQY to 86% via lattice contraction and surface passivation. • SiO2 coating via APTES further boosts PLQY to 96% and dramatically improves water and ethanol stability (43% vs 5% PL retention after 36h water immersion). • The optimized CsPb0.7Zn0.3Br3@SiO2 NCs enable WLEDs with CRI 78.2, CCT 5470 K, and luminous efficiency 54.2 lm/W. • The two-step synthesis and core-shell strategy offer a scalable route for stable, lead-reduced perovskite nanocrystals for display and lighting.
Abstract
All-inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) have emerged as promising candidates for light-emitting diode (LED) displays due to their outstanding photophysical properties. However, their practical application remains hindered by poor stability and the inherent toxicity of Pb2+. In this study, we present a two-step heating method to synthesize CsPb1−xZnxBr3 NCs with enhanced optoelectronic performance and uniform dispersion. The optimized Zn2+-doped NCs achieve a photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 86%, with a reduction in lattice spacing from 0.384 to 0.365 nm, attributed to increased perovskite lattice formation energy and effective surface passivation. To further improve stability, a silica (SiO2) shell is introduced via surface modification with (3-aminopropyl) triethoxysilane (APTES), forming CsPb0.7Zn0.3Br3@SiO2 core–shell NCs. At an optimal APTES/B-site metal ion molar ratio of 1.8, the PLQY increases to 96%. The SiO2 encapsulation significantly enhances environmental stability, with coated NCs retaining 43% of their initial photoluminescence (PL) intensity after immersion in water for 36 h, compared to only 5% for uncoated NCs. Furthermore, after ethanol treatment for 210 min, the coated NCs retain 39% of their initial PL intensity, while the uncoated counterparts retain merely 7%. The enhanced stability and luminescence performance of CsPb0.7Zn0.3Br3@SiO2 NCs make them highly promising for LED applications. White light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) fabricated using these NCs exhibit a color rendering index (CRI) of 78.2, a correlated color temperature (CCT) of 5470 K, and a luminous efficiency (LE) of 54.2 lm/W, demonstrating significant potential for next-generation display and lighting technologies.
1. Introduction
All-inorganic perovskite CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) nanocrystals (NCs) have achieved significant breakthroughs in high-efficiency photoluminescence (PLQY), narrow-band emission, tunable emission wavelengths, and high color purity [1–3]. Due to these exceptional properties, researchers have explored their potential applications in solar cells [4], photodetectors [5], lasers [6], and light-emitting diodes (LEDs) [7]. However, the practical application of CsPbX3 NCs remains limited due to their poor stability when exposed to moisture, oxygen, and heat, as well as concerns regarding the toxicity of Pb2+ [8]. Therefore, reducing the Pb2+ content while simultaneously enhancing the stability of CsPbX3 NCs remains a critical challenge to be addressed.
Many efforts have been made to enhance the stability and reduce the toxicity of CsPbX3 NCs, which can be divided into two main strategies. On the one hand, the stability of CsPbX3 NCs can be improved by incorporating metal cations into the perovskite structure. This approach enhances the Pb2+ coordination environment, increases short-range lattice order by mitigating Pb–X octahedral distortion, and suppresses halide vacancies, which act as trapping centers that hinder the achievement of high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and stability [9–10]. Numerous studies have reported the successful doping of divalent transition metal ions such as Cu2+, Ni2+, and Mn2+, which play a crucial role in eliminating trap defects and structural distortions in CsPbX3 NCs [11–13]. Among these dopants, Zn2+ is particularly advantageous due to its low cost and environmental friendliness compared to other transition metals commonly used for doping. Zn2+ doping in CsPbBr3 partially replaces Pb2+, thereby reducing toxicity while preserving the crystal structure and enhancing both stability and PLQY. For instance, Zeng et al. [14] synthesized CsPb1−xZnxBr3 NCs via room-temperature recrystallization, achieving an increase in PLQY from 41.3% to 82.9%. Moreover, after heating and cooling cycles, the doped NCs retained 94% of their initial photoluminescence (PL) intensity, whereas the undoped samples maintained only 67%. Additionally, Zn2+ doping has been demonstrated to enhance the performance of white light-emitting diode (WLED) devices. Chen et al. [15] synthesized Zn2+-doped CsPbBr3 NCs using ...
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Zhe Qin, Peng Wen, Wenkui Wu, Ting Chen, Yiyuan Peng, Fei Wang, Zhixiang Xie (2025). Preparation and fluorescence properties of SiO2-coated CsPb1−xZnxBr3 nanocrystals with enhanced efficiency and stability. Int. Journal of Minerals, Metallurgy and Materials (矿物冶金与材料学报). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12613-025-3148-0
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main achievement of this study?
The study presents a two-step method to synthesize Zn2+-doped CsPbBr3 nanocrystals coated with SiO2, achieving a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 96% and significantly improved stability against water and ethanol, making them promising for LED applications.
How does Zn2+ doping improve the properties of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals?
Zn2+ doping partially replaces toxic Pb2+, reduces lattice spacing, increases formation energy, and passivates surface defects, leading to enhanced PLQY (up to 86%) and better stability.
What role does SiO2 coating play?
SiO2 coating via APTES forms a protective shell that shields the nanocrystals from environmental degradation, boosting PLQY to 96% and dramatically improving water and ethanol resistance.
What are the performance metrics of the fabricated WLEDs?
The WLEDs using the optimized nanocrystals exhibit a color rendering index of 78.2, a correlated color temperature of 5470 K, and a luminous efficiency of 54.2 lm/W.
What is the significance of this work for practical applications?
The enhanced stability and luminescence performance, along with reduced lead content, make these nanocrystals highly promising for next-generation display and lighting technologies.
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