Lead halide perovskites are promising candidates for
high-performance
light-emitting diodes (LEDs); however, their applicability is limited
by their structural instability toward moisture. Although a deliberate
addition of water to the precursor solution has recently been shown
to improve the crystallinity and optical properties of perovskites,
the corresponding thin films still do not exhibit a near-unity quantum
yield. Herein, we report that the direct addition of a minute amount
of water to post-treated formamidinium lead bromide (FAPbBr3) nanocrystals (NCs) substantially enhances the stability while achieving
a 95% photoluminescence quantum yield in a NC thin film. We unveil
the mechanism of how moisture assists in the formation of an additional
NH4Br component. Alongside, we demonstrate the crucial
role of moisture in assisting localized etching of the perovskite
crystal, facilitating the partial incorporation of NH4
+, which is key for improved performance under ambient conditions.
Finally, as a proof-of-concept, the application of post-treated and
water-treated perovskites is tested in LEDs, with the latter exhibiting
a superior performance, offering opportunities toward commercial application
in moisture-stable optoelectronics.