Lead halide perovskites and other metal halide complexes as inorganic capping ligands for colloidal nanocrystals

Abstract

Lead halide perovskites (CH3NH3PbX3, where X = I, Br) and other metal halide complexes (MXn, where M = Pb, Cd, In, Zn, Fe, Bi, Sb) have been studied as inorganic capping ligands for colloidal nanocrystals. We present the methodology for the surface functionalization via ligand-exchange reactions and the effect on the optical properties of IV-VI, II-VI, and III-V semiconductor nanocrystals. In particular, we show that the Lewis acid-base properties of the solvents, in addition to the solvent dielectric constant, must be properly adjusted for successful ligand exchange and colloidal stability. High luminescence quantum efficiencies of 20-30% for near-infrared emitting CH3NH3PbI3- functionalized PbS nanocrystals and 50-65% for red-emitting CH 3NH3CdBr3- and (NH4) 2ZnCl4-capped CdSe/CdS nanocrystals point to highly efficient electronic passivation of the nanocrystal surface. © 2014 American Chemical Society.