One-pot synthesis of CsPbBr3 nanocrystals in methyl methacrylate: a kinetic study, in situ polymerization, and backlighting applications

Abstract

A nanocomposite of perovskite nanocrystals (PNCs) with polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) provides excellent color quality and processibility for application in wide color-gamut display devices. However, the agglomeration and fluorescent quenching of PNCs in PMMA impeded the development of high-performance PNCs–PMMA film. Here, we report the one-pot synthesis of CsPbBr₃ PNCs in methyl methacrylate (MMA) that enables the direct fabrication of bright and durable PNC–PMMA films. The study of growth kinetics reveals that the weak polarity and low viscosity of MMA are important characteristics that promote rapid nucleation and ripening of PNCs at low temperatures. An amine-rich environment and an appropriate precursor concentration are also essential for controlling the isotropic growth and structure of the PNCs. The optimized method offers an attractive route for growing PNCs in a controlled manner, resulting in PNC–MMA with a high photoluminescence quantum yield of 85% and a narrow emission linewidth of 20 nm. An efficient PNC–PMMA thin film was fabricated by the UV-curing of the PNC–MMA solution and tested as a light-conversion layer in an LCD backlight module that showed largely improved optical performance and stability. This route provides a facile and green approach for the fabrication of high-quality PNC–PMMA nanocomposites that will have great potential for display backlighting and other optoelectronic applications.