Synthesis of Ultrathin Few-Layer 2D Nanoplates of Halide Perovskite Cs3Bi2I9 and Single-Nanoplate Super-Resolved Fluorescence Microscopy

The discovery of new two-dimensional (2D) perovskite halides has created sensation recently because of their structural diversity and intriguing optical properties. The toxicity of Pb-based perovskite halides led to the development of Pb-free halides. Herein, we have demonstrated a one-pot solution-based synthesis of 2D ultrathin (similar to 1.78 nm) few-layer (2-4 layers) nanoplates (300-600 nm lateral dimension), nanosheets (0.6-1.5 mu m), and nanocrystals of layered Cs3Bi2I9 by varying the reaction temperature from 110 to 180 degrees C. We have established a mechanistic pathway for the variation of morphology of Cs3Bi2I9 with temperature in the presence of organic capping ligands. Further, we have synthesized the bulk powder of Cs3Bi2I9 by mechanochemical synthesis and liquid-assisted grinding and crystalline ingot by vacuum-sealed tube melting. 2D nanoplates and bulk Cs3Bi2I9 demonstrate optical absorption edge along with excitonic transition. Photoluminescence properties of individual nanoplates were studied by super-resolution fluorescence imaging, which indicated the blinking behavior down to the level of an individual Cs3Bi2I9 nanoplate along with its emission at the far-red region and high photostability.