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 stability 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
stability 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.