Highly luminescent dual-phase CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 microcrystals for a wide color gamut for backlight displays

Cesium lead bromide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) embedded in Cs4PbBr6 or CsPb2Br5 matrices forming core/shell structures are promising luminescent materials that exhibit remarkable photoluminescence properties meeting the need in a wide range of applications while overcoming stability challenges. Here, we report the large-scale, ligand-free synthesis of dual-phase Cs4PbBr6/CsPbBr3 microcrystals (MCs) using ultrasonication at room temperature, exhibiting a high photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) of 82.7% and good stability. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy and X-ray photoelectron characterization confirm that CsPbBr3 NCs are embedded in the Cs4PbBr6 matrix-forming CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 dual-phase structure. The evolution of the luminescence properties with temperature suggests that the strong green emission results from direct exciton recombination in the isolated [PbBr6](4-) octahedra, which possess a large exciton binding energy of 283.6 meV. As revealed from their emission intensities, the dual-phase CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 MCs demonstrate excellent stability against ultraviolet irradiation (76%), good moisture resistance (42.7%), and good thermal tolerance (51%). It is understood that such excellent PLQY and stability are due to the surface passivation of the CsPbBr3 NCs attributed to the large bandgap as well as the isolated [PbBr6](4-) octahedra separated by Cs+ ions in the Cs4PbBr6 crystal lattice. Finally, the suitability of the green-emitting CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 material for achieving white-light emission and a wide color gamut is evaluated by constructing a prototype white light-emitting diode (w-LED) using CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 and red-emitting K2SiF6:Mn4+ materials taken in different weight ratios and combined with a blue light-emitting InGaN LED chip (lambda = 455 nm). The constructed w-LED device exhibits the color coordinates (0.3315, 0.3289), an efficacy of 68 lm W-1, a color rendering index of 87%, a color temperature of 5564 K, and a wide color gamut of similar to 118.78% (NTSC) and similar to 88.69% (Rec. 2020) with RGB color filters in the CIE 1931 color space. Therefore, based on our present findings, we strongly believe that the dual-phase CsPbBr3/Cs4PbBr6 material is a promising green-emitting phosphor for use in w-LEDs as the backlight of display systems.

Automated summary

In this study, large-scale dual-phase Cs4PbBr6/CsPbBr3 microcrystals were synthesized using ultrasonication at room temperature, demonstrating high photoluminescence quantum yield and stability. The excellent properties are attributed to surface passivation of CsPbBr3 and isolated octahedra in the Cs4PbBr6 lattice. The material shows promise for achieving white-light emission and a wide color gamut.