Real-time observation of ion exchange dynamics during surface treatment of all-inorganic perovskite quantum dots with Zn-halogenide complexes for color tuning and enhanced quantum efficiency

Abstract

All-inorganic lead perovskite quantum dots (QDs), due to their distinctive optical properties, have become one of the “hottest” topics in materials science; therefore, the development of new QD synthesis methods or their emission color adjustment is of great interest. Within this study, we present the simple preparation of QDs employing a novel ultrasound-induced hot-injection method, which significantly reduces the QD synthesis time from several hours to merely 15–20 minutes. Moreover, the post-synthesis treatment of perovskite QDs in solutions using zinc halogenide complexes could increase the QD emission intensity and, at the same time, boost their quantum efficiency. This behavior is due to the zinc halogenide complex's ability to remove or significantly reduce the number of surface electron traps in perovskite QDs. Finally, the experiment that shows the ability to instantly adjust the desired emission color of perovskite QDs by variation of the amount of added zinc halogenide complex is presented. The instantly obtained perovskite QD colors cover virtually the full range of the visible spectrum. The zinc halogenide modified perovskite QDs exhibit up to 10–15% higher QEs than those prepared by an individual synthesis.