Ligand Chemistry of Inorganic Lead Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) have emerged as next-generation semiconductor materials with outstanding optical and optoelectronic properties. Because of the high surface-to-volume ratio, the optical and optoelectronic performance and the colloidal stabi l i t y of LHP NCs largely depend on their surface chemistry, especially the ligands and surface termination. On one hand, the capping ligands improve the colloidal stability and luminescence; on the other hand the highly dynamic binding nature of ligands is detrimental to the colloidal stabi l i t y and photoluminescence of LHP NCs. In addition, the surface functionalization with desired molecules induces new functionalities such as chirality, light harvesting, and triplet sensitization through energy/electron transfer or use as X-ray detectors. In this review, we present the current understanding of an atomic view of the surface chemistry of colloidal LHP NCs, including crystal termination, vacancies, and different types of capping ligands. Furthermore, we discuss the ligand-induced functionalities, including photocatalysis and chirality.

Automated summary

Lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (LHP NCs) are semiconductor materials with exceptional optical and optoelectronic properties. The surface chemistry, including ligands and surface termination, plays a crucial role in determining the optical and optoelectronic performance as well as the colloidal stability of LHP NCs. Functionalization of the surface with desired molecules can induce new functionalities, such as photocatalysis and chirality. This review provides an atomic view of the surface chemistry of colloidal LHP NCs, including crystal termination, vacancies, and different types of capping ligands, and discusses the ligand-induced functionalities.