Lanthanide doping in metal halide perovskite nanocrystals: spectral shifting, quantum cutting and optoelectronic applications

Lanthanides have been widely explored as optically active dopants in inorganic crystal lattices, which are often insulating in nature. Doping trivalent lanthanide (Ln(3+)) into traditional semiconductor nanocrystals, such as CdSe, is challenging because of their tetrahedral coordination. Interestingly, CsPbX3 (X = Cl, Br, I) perovskite nanocrystals provide the octahedral coordination suitable for Ln(3+) doping. Over the last two years, tremendous success has been achieved in doping Ln(3+) into CsPbX3 nanocrystals, combining the excellent optoelectronic properties of the host with the f-f electronic transitions of the dopants. For example, the efficient quantum cutting phenomenon in Yb3+-doped CsPb(Cl,Br)(3) nanocrystals yields a photoluminescence quantum yield close to 200%. Other approaches of Ln(3+) doping and codoping have enabled promising proof-of-principle demonstration of solid-state lighting and solar photovoltaics. In this perspective article, we highlight the salient features of the material design (including doping in Pb-free perovskites), optical properties and potential optoelectronic applications of lanthanide-doped metal halide perovskite nanocrystals. While review articles on doping different metal ions into perovskite nanocrystals are present, the present review-type article is solely dedicated to lanthanide-doped metal halide perovskite nanocrystals.