Modular Zwitterion-Functionalized Poly(isopropyl methacrylate) Polymers for Hosting Luminescent Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Abstract

Inorganic lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) are an exciting class of luminescent materials with high defect tolerance and broad spectral tunability, but such NCs are vulnerable to degradation under ambient conditions. Here, we report a class of modular zwitterion-functionalized isopropyl methacrylate polymers designed to stabilize a wide variety of perovskite NCs of different compositions, while also enabling processing in green solvents. Specifically, we report polymers in which the zwitterion spacing is tuned to accommodate the different lattice parameters of CsPb(Cl 1−x Br x ) 3 and CsPbI 3 NCs, and we report partially fluorinated polymers prepared to accommodate the needs of infrared-emitting NCs. We show that as-synthesized CsPbBr 3 , CsPbI 3 , and Yb 3+ :CsPbCl 3 NCs are easily transferred into these zwitterionic polymers via a simple ligand-exchange procedure. These NC/polymer composites were then cast into thin films that showed substantially improved photoluminescence (PL) and stability compared with more conventional NC/polymer films. Specifically, CsPbBr 3 and CsPbI 3 NCs in films of their appropriately designed polymers had PL quantum yields of ∼90% and ∼80%, respectively. PL quantum yields decreased under continuous illumination but self-healed completely after dark storage. We also found that all the NC compositions studied here maintain their PL quantum yields in NC/polymer composite films even after 1 year of ambient storage. These encouraging results demonstrate the utility of such modular zwitterion-functionalized polymers for hosting specific perovskite NCs, potentially opening avenues for robust new photonic applications of this important class of NCs.

Cesium Lead Halide Nanocrystals based Flexible X‐Ray Imaging Screen and Visible Dose Rate Indication on Paper Substrate

“…We attribute this improvement to the passivation effect of PMMA. [31] Apart from PMMA, we also investigate the influence of other polymers like polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) et al Unfortunately, none of these materials are as prominent as PMMA. For example, PVA treated screen cannot survive from moisture attacking and PS is harmful for the radioluminescence.…”

Organic building blocks at inorganic nanomaterial interfaces

“…Therefore, the resulting capped perovskite possesses good solubility in non-polar solvents due to the favorable intermolecular interaction between the alkyl chain and the solvents. When polar groups are introduced into a ligand, for example, the ester groups in ZP3, 225 the resulting perovskite NCs can be dispersed in polar solvents such as ethyl acetate and butyl acetate, which are known to be anti-solvents for alkyl-capped perovskite. When the ligand is modified by functional groups that are able to form hydrogen bonds, for example, the polyethylene glycol (PEG) and carboxylate groups in ZW-PIMA-PEG, it enables NC Fig.…”

Chemically Spiraling CsPbBr3 Perovskite Nanorods

“…Beyond these, several ligands are also developed and implemented for surface capping of these nanocrystals. ,,− While ligands help with facet stabilization and the halide sources control the versatility of their synthesis as well as provide halide sufficient environment for obtaining bright emission, − the core issue of control over the formation of the crystal lattice of these nanocrystals still remains unclear. There is no convincing data reported yet on the direct one to one precursor’s reaction and the control of their nucleation followed by successive growth as expected in the classical approach.…”