Functionalized SBA-15 as a protective template for CsPbBr3 perovskite quantum dots

Abstract

All-metal halide perovskite quantum dots (QDs), such as CsPbBr₃ (CPB), exhibit outstanding optoelectronic properties, but their poor thermal stability limits practical applications. In this work, CPB QDs were embedded into mesoporous SBA-15 silica matrices functionalized with amino (NH₂) and sulfonic acid (SO₃H) groups to enhance stability. The SBA-15 host, synthesized hydrothermally and post-functionalized, offers high thermal and chemical resilience. CPB QDs prepared via hot-injection retained their optical features upon incorporation, with consistent photoluminescence and absorption spectra. Structural analysis confirmed uniform QD loading (∼17 nm) within the pores. Among all supports, SO₃H-functionalized SBA-15 provided the greatest stability improvement, attributed to strong interactions with surface ligands. This approach presents a viable pathway for stabilizing perovskite QDs in optoelectronic applications.