Volume 59, Issue 3 pp. 1030-1046
Review

Lead-Free Halide Perovskite Nanocrystals: Crystal Structures, Synthesis, Stabilities, and Optical Properties

Qianqian Fan

Qianqian Fan

College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021 P. R. China

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332 USA

These authors contributed equally.

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Gill V. Biesold-McGee

Gill V. Biesold-McGee

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332 USA

These authors contributed equally.

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Prof. Jianzhong Ma

Corresponding Author

Prof. Jianzhong Ma

College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021 P. R. China

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Prof. Qunna Xu

Prof. Qunna Xu

College of Bioresources Chemical and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an, 710021 P. R. China

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Shuang Pan

Shuang Pan

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332 USA

State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 P. R. China

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Prof. Juan Peng

Corresponding Author

Prof. Juan Peng

State Key Laboratory of Molecular Engineering of Polymers, Department of Macromolecular Science, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200438 P. R. China

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Prof. Dr. Zhiqun Lin

Corresponding Author

Prof. Dr. Zhiqun Lin

School of Materials Science and Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, 30332 USA

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First published: 14 May 2019
Citations: 394

Graphical Abstract

Taking the lead: This Review summarizes recent advances in widely studied lead-free halide perovskite nanocrystals, centering on understanding their crystal structures, synthesis methods, environmental stability, and optical properties. The challenges in this rapidly evolving field and opportunities to further improve the quality and stability of these nanocrystals are also provided.

Abstract

In recent years, there have been rapid advances in the synthesis of lead halide perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) for use in solar cells, light emitting diodes, lasers, and photodetectors. These compounds have a set of intriguing optical, excitonic, and charge transport properties, including outstanding photoluminescence quantum yield (PLQY) and tunable optical band gap. However, the necessary inclusion of lead, a toxic element, raises a critical concern for future commercial development. To address the toxicity issue, intense recent research effort has been devoted to developing lead-free halide perovskite (LFHP) NCs. In this Review, we present a comprehensive overview of currently explored LFHP NCs with an emphasis on their crystal structures, synthesis, optical properties, and environmental stabilities (e.g., UV, heat, and moisture resistance). In addition, strategies for enhancing optical properties and stabilities of LFHP NCs as well as the state-of-the-art applications are discussed. With the perspective of their properties and current challenges, we provide an outlook for future directions in this rapidly evolving field to achieve high-quality LFHP NCs for a broader range of fundamental research and practical applications.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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