Precise control of CsPbBr₃ perovskite nanocrystal growth at room temperature: Size tunability and synthetic insights

Room-temperature perovskite nanocrystal syntheses have previously lacked the size tunability attainable through high-temperature methods. Herein, we outline a scalable approach whereby the nucleation and growth of CsPbBr₃ nanocrystals (NCs) can be decoupled and controlled at room temperature by utilizing different ligands. We employed octylphosphonic acid (OPA) ligands to regulate the critical radius and the NC growth rate. The subsequent addition of a bulkier didodecyldimethylammonium bromide ligand quenches the NC growth, defining the reaction duration. Management of these three variables enables precise tuning of the NC diameter between 6.8 and 13.6 nm. The photoluminescence quantum yield of the NCs remains above 80% for all sizes even after thorough antisolvent purification. The use of hydrogen-bonding OPA ligands enhances quantum confinement effects, characterized by strong, well-resolved absorption peaks. Solution and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectra confirmed the effective removal of unbound ligands during purification and the presence of a hydrogen-bonded network of OPA ligands on the surface of the purified NCs. Overall, this approach has the potential to facilitate a broad range of future endeavors from studies of hot carrier dynamics to both optically and electrically driven device applications.