Enhancing exciton-to-Mn2+ energy transfer and emission efficiency in Mn2+-doped CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals via CaCl2 post-treatment

Abstract

Mn2+-doped CsPbCl3 perovskite nanocrystals (NCs) exhibit a significant Stokes shift and emit bright orange-red light, making them promising candidates for optoelectronic devices. However, these NCs are prone to surface defects during multiple purification steps, which hinder the transfer of energy from excitons to Mn2+ and reduce luminescence efficiency. Herein, we introduce a post-treatment method using a CaCl2 ethanol solution to passivate surface defects in Mn2+-doped CsPbCl3 NCs. This treatment enhances the energy transfer from excitons to Mn2+ and boosts luminescence performance, achieving a photoluminescence quantum yield of up to 96 % and maintaining stability through several washing cycles. In this process, Ca2+ ions, as a Lewis acid, replace oleic acid molecules on NC surfaces, leading to stronger binding. The Cl− from the CaCl2 solution fill vacancies on NC surfaces, effectively passivating surface defects. This reduces non-radiative recombination centers, increases energy transfer efficiency from 83 % to 87 %, and accelerates the radiative recombination rates of excitons and Mn2+. The post-treated NCs also retain their PL against continuous heat and ultraviolet irradiation. The passivation of surface defects on perovskite NCs achieved through this post-processing strategy enhances the energy transfer from excitons to doped ions, providing guidance for achieving efficient and stable doped perovskite NCs.